ONQUEST 



OR 



A PIECE OF JADE 



A New Play in Thrte Acts by 

Marie C. Stopes 



Copyright 1917 by DR. MARLS C. STOPES 



London and New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Lid, 

Publishers 



V- 



net 



V 



CONQUEST 



OR 



A PIECE OF JADE 



A New Play in Three Acts by 



MARIE C. STOPES 

D.Sc Ph.D., F.R.S.Litt.etc. 



/ 



1/- net 



Copyrk-.ht 1917 by DR. MARIE C. STOPES 



New York 


London 


SAMUEL FRENCH 


SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 


Publisher 


26 Southampton Street 


28-30 West 38th Street 


Strand 



1917 






^ 



:u 



O 






CI.D 4(5838 



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MAY 10 (917 N 
■v 



Leatherhead, Surrey, 

England. 

Dear Mr. Delightfulest-Manager-in-the- World, — 

I am sending you this play printed instead of 
type-written because I think you will find it much easier 
to slip into your pocket and read, and also because I 
don't know your address, and printed books have a way 
of finding people without being addressed which type- 
scripts have not yet learnt. So instead of sending my 
play round, in what people tell me is the usual way, to 
lots and lots of managers in typescript and wasting ever 
so much valuable time while they don't read it, I am 
sending it to you direct, and hope you will like it. When 
you read it you will find that there is still another reason 
why I am glad to see it in print. 

First let me have just one word in your ear, please : 
don't look to see how many pages long it is, and (reckoning 
" a page a minute ") say it is too short to fill an evening, 
for I ought to tell you it is a full-length play but the 
printer is war-economising and has printed it all on 
fewer pages than he would have done in the days of 
Paper, Peace and Plenty long ago. 

While I was writing the leading part I pictured one 
of our finest actresses in it, and she has read it and says 
the play is " simply splendid " : if you want her to take 
the part I will tell you her name and address, but she is 
such an angel she will forgive you if some one you love 
better seems to you to be the heroine. 

Yours sincerely, 

Marie C. Stopes. 



Registered Copyright by Marie C. Stopes. 

The Copyright of CONQUEST is the sole 
Property of the author, to whom application 
should be made for a license to produce, 
translate, place on the cinematograph or use 
in any other way. 

Addressing: Dr. Marie Stopes, 

Craigvara, Lent lie rhead, 

Surrey, England, 



CONQUEST/' or "A PIECE OF JADE. 

A New Play in Three Acts, by 
MARIE C. STOPES. 



Time: 1915. Place: New Zealand and London. 

Act I: 

An Out-station on the Hyde's Sheep Farm, 
New Zealand. 

Afternoon. 

Act II. 

The Hyde's Homestead, New Zealand. 

Morning. 

Three or four months elapse between Acts I. and II, 

Act III. 

The Duchess of Rainshire's Drawing-room, London. 

Evening. 
About two months elapse between Acts II. and III. 



"CONQUEST,'' or "A PIECE OF JADE." 

DRAMATIS PERSONS. 

In the order of their appearance : 

First Shepherd. 

Second Shepherd. 

GORDON Hyde, New Zealand Sheep Farmer. 

ROTO, an old Maori. 

NORA Lee, A New Zealand Girl. 

LOVEDAYLEWISHAM, Noras Cousin, out from England. 

ROBERT HYDE, New Zealand Sheep Farmer, Gordon's 

Brother. 

John Varlie alias The Rev Dr. Chapman. 

Recruiting Officer. 

The Duchess of Rainshire. 

A Cabinet Minister. 

Smithers. 

Also {Without words) : 

Two (ok Perhaps.Fhree) Young Men in New /calami Khaki. 
Ladies and Gentlemen, Guests at the Duchess' Evening Parly. 
Maid, Footman's substitute in uniform. 
Two Plain Clothes Officers. 
One or Two Collie Dogs. 
Sheep — One, or More, if convenient. 



"CONQUEST," 

OR 

"A PIECE OF JADE." 

A New Play in Three Acts by 
MARIE C. STOPES. 



Act I. 

The Scene is set in the hills of the sheep- 
raising part of the S. Island of New 
Zealand. 

The back-cloth is painted with fine rocky and 
wooded hills and lakes, rather like Scotland 
but with a clearer, bluer sky and keener 
atmosphere. 

The stage represents a temporary camp in a 
clearing, for the mustering and marking of 
sheep. There are boulders and groups of 
luxuriant trees. The grass is trampled 
under foot. Right centre is an open 
fire with cooking utensils. Back right 
the corner of sheep enclosures. On left is 
a temporary cover, part canvas, part tree 
branches. 

Two Shepherds are discovered near the 
fire, binding up the leg of a sheep. The 
collie dogs prowl and lie around. 

1st Shep. {An old, wiry man.) A fine muster, this 

year. 
2ND Shep. (A dour man, about 45 years old.) Aye. 



1st Shep. The best season I mind for ten years. 

(Working with sheep's leg.) Plague take 

it, it's slipped. Lie still you bleatin' fule 

ye ! And sheep s'd fetch a guid price 

this year and all. 
2nd Shep. Aye. 
1st Shep. I'm thinkin' these sheep will be making 

the fortune of the young masters, but they 

do nought but make work for us. 
2nd Shep. (Spits.) Aye. 
1st Shep. The young masters must get an extra 

man, we never had to handle so many 

sheep. 
2nd Shep. Men'll be scarce now. 
1st Shep. They will that. Do you hear they 

recruitin' fellows are scourin' the country 

for likely lads ? 
2nd Shep. Aye. 

1st Shep. When did you know it ? 
2nd Shep. 'Bout a week ago. 
1st Shep. (Reproachfully.) And ye kept a tale like 

that from me — and me that glad of any 

bit of news in this lonesomeness. I call 

that nasty of ye. 

(2nd Shepherd is silent ; spits slowly.) 

I call that nasty of ye. 

2nd Shep. Aye. 

1st Shep. And what else do ye know ye might tell 
me if — if, well, if I had a wee drop of 
something to loosen your lips ? (Pulls 
out a flask and a tin cup and pours a 
small drink — the dogs come up.) Down 
Jock — get out Scottie. What news have ye 
for this, eh ? 

(2nd Shepherd readies out his hand.) 

1st Shep. Na-na. News first. It mayn't be worth 
it all. 



2ND Shep. The new young lady from England is 

comin' this afternoon. 
1st Shep. What young lady? Why don't I know 

a' these wild doin's ? What's she like. 

Who's she stay in' with ? 
2ND Shep. Old man Lee and his daughter. 
1st Shep. Have you seen her ? What's she like ? 
2nd Shep. (Stretching out his hand for his drink.) 

I've earned it. 
1st Shep. (Drawing it away.) Ye'll tell me what 

she's like first. 
2nd Shep. A flower. You give it to me now. 
1st Shep. (Hands it grudgingly.) Well, perhaps 

you desarve it. That's news. 

(He slowly fills a kettle out of a pail of water 
which h* observes with annoyance is nearly 
empty and puts kettle on the fire.) 

For why is she coming here ? 
2ND Shep. London city was killin' her. The doctor 

ordered six months of healin' air. 
1st Shep. If she's as bonny as you say it'll be joyful 

doings for the young masters. Lasses are 

scarce here. 
2nd Shep. There's Nora Lee. 
1st Shep. Well, fule. She's only one. We've got 

two young masters, let alone the other 

young chaps hereby. 
2ND Shep. Mister Gordon's lame. What'd he do 

with a girl ? 
1st Shep. Only a bit lame, only a wee bit lame, 

like — and he's got a rare brain — look at 

the exchange o' reapers and such like he 

rigged up for the freeholders around here. 

He's just chock full o' ideas and always 

dreamin' and readin' and talkin' about 'em. 

That's what girls like. He'll be as good 

in a girl's eyes as his brother — better I 

shouldn't wonder. 
2nd Shep. He's no good for the war. 



10 

1st Shep. And what matters that ? Am I any good 
for the war? Down Scottie, down will 
ye ! Yourself is not much good for the 
war, and yet a pretty girl or two don't 
come amiss to your eyes even though they 
never looked at ye. War ! You're crazy 
on the war. Why man it's more'n ten 
thousand miles off and it's a game for the 
young chaps anyway. 

2ND Shep. It's no game. 

1st Shep. It'll raise the price of sheep. That's one 
thing I'm thinking. And we have more 
sheep on this station to-day than there 
have been in my memory. Aren't there 

DOW ? 

2nd Shep. Aye. 

(Gordon Hyde comes slowly on from rigid 
wing, a fishing rod and bag of fish on his 
shoulder. He is sligJit, bronzed, and with 
a fine noble face. He limps-, Jiis leg 
dragging. 1st Shepherd takes up a tin 
of salmon and slozvly begins to prepare to 
open it.) 

Gordon. There's a good haul for supper, lads. 
( Throws down fish.) 
(The Shepherds move a little from the fire 
respectfully, hut don't touch their hats or 
get up.) ' . 

1st Shep. Aye, aye, Boss. 

(He is just about to insert the tin opener, 
Gordon suddenly notices him.) 

Gordon. What have you got there ? 

1st SHEP. A tin of salmon, Boss. 

GORDON Stop opening it then. Use that fresh fish 

instead. Tinned stuff is extra valuable 
nowadays. It can be sent to the front. 
We have time to think out here on these 
hills. I have thought till my head reeled 
and not vet found out what bin things we 



n 



can do for our country, but the little duties 
are clear enough, and one of 'em is not to 
be wasteful. 
2ND Shep. Aye, Boss. That's true. 

(1st Shepherd shamefacedly lays down the 
tin.) 



1st Shep. 
Gordon. 
1st Shep. 



Gordon. 



Roto. 
1st Shep 
Gordon. 
1st Shei 
Gordon. 



Eh, Boss, the sheep's fine this year. 

What is the full tally ? 

Mr. Robert hasn't come in yet, but trom 

what I've heard, it looks to be the best 

year on this station. 

Fine. We can't have too much wool and 

mutton this year. 

( Roto comes on from left second Entrance, some- 
what staggering under two path of water. 
He is an old Maori, with straight black 
hair turning white, and a few tatoo marks 
on his face. He has high cheek bones, a 
broad nose, and full lips, but is light brown 
in colour and very intelligent and fine in 
expression. Be wears a short pair of 
pants, and a piece of fine matting on his 
shoulders, his scanty shirt is open at the 
neck and a string with a carved green jade 
charm is partly seen.) 

Here is the water for Miss Nora's tea, 

Boss. ... 

(To 2nd Shep.) She has an healthier 

thirst than yours. 

{Busying himself smoothing a seat of 
fern.) She'll be tired after that long ride. 
The other lady'll be worse. She's not 
native born like Miss Nora. ^ 

(Quickly.) Her fine lady cousin! She s 
corning, of course. I'd forgotten ! Here, 
you chaps, get that place straight. 
(Indicates the shelter, which shows a 
disorder of blankets, etc.) What is this 
sheep doing here ? 



[2 



1st Shep. Her leg broke when she tried to push 

through over a rocky bit. I have tethered 

her down. The young lady may like to 

pat her or tie a ribbon round her neck 

perhaps. 

GORDON. (Grinning.) You old fool. All right. 

Leave her. Go and straighten things up 

a bit in the shelter. 'Tis like a pig-stye. 

(A clatter of horses hoofs, shouts of " Whoa 

there, Nellie. Here we are," etc., is heard 

without. Two Girls ivitli riding hats 

and whips enter front right wing. 

Nora Lfe is dainty with light hair and a 

rather sunburnt face and neck. Site has 

pale lashes; she is petite and pretty and 

rather self-assured. She advances laughing.) 

NORA. Here we are ! 

GORDON. (Springing np and limping hurriedly to 

meet her, taking off his hat.) Oh, Nora, 
I'm glad you've come. 
NORA. Where is Robert ? 

Gordon. Out with the men. He'll be back by 
tea-time. 

(Loveday stands a little back looking round 
and waiting. She is taller than Nora; a 
splendidly built, dark-haired and beautiful 
woman, with a clear skin, deep searciiing 
eyes, regular features. She m'ulks like a 
Queen and has a deep-toned, but soft ana 
thrilling voice. She is all in white.) 

Nora. This is my cousin, Loveday Lewisham, 

Gordon. 

(Loveday smiles, comes forward and sliakcs 
hands with Gordon.) 

You know I told you all about her, and 
how she broke down with war-work in 
England and is going to make her home 
with us for six months. You know. 
GORDON. 1 do know. (Smiles.) I wish you welcome, 

Miss Lewisham. 



13 



NORA. Loveday. 

GORDON. Yes. This is a friendly country. My 

name is Gordon. 
LOVEDAY. How beautiful that view is. And what a 

ride we had. Three hours of fairyland ! 
Nora. Oh, that's nothing' ! Let us show her 

everything. Where's old Roto ? She 

wants to see a Maori. And where is 

Robert ? 
Gordon. I'll coo-ee for Robert. 

(His coo-ee is long and penetrating so that it 
re-echoes.) 

And there is Roto. Hi. Come along, 
Roto. Miss Nora wants to show you off. 

(Roto advances front shelter, which is now in 
better order, the blankets piled up, etc.) 

Roto. (Grinning.) Here, Miss Nora. 

Nora. Good-day, Roto. See, Loveday. This is 

a real live Maori. Nothing wonderful 

after all ! 
Loveday. Oh, how do you do ? 
Roto. Finely, Miss. 

Loveday. (Smiling winningly.) 

so terrifying as I expected ! 
ROTO. (Grinning, pleased.) Maoris 

to be terrible now, Miss. 
LOVEDAY. That is & shame. I'd so much rather be 

a savage myself. What do you do now 

they won't let you be a savage any more ? 
Roto. Help with the sheep and cook. 

LOVEDAY. (Stooping forward and taking hold of 

ROTO'S green jade charm hanging on its 

long string round his neck.) And what is 

that queer thing you wear round your 

neck ? 
NORA. (Hastily.) A jade charm— these natives 

often wear them. They are very super ^ 

stitious. 



You are not nearly 
not allowed 



14 

GORDON. The Maoris believe in all sorts of charms 
and magic and spirits. They have a 
legend about these forests, for instance, 
that a goddess of wisdom lives in these 
hill tops and is a tree by day and a white 
woman at night. 
LOVEDAY. (Her eyes sparkling). Have you seen her ? 
GORDON. Not yet — but sometimes — 
LOVEDAY. But sometimes— go on — do tell me — 
GORDON. Sometimes after a day alone in these 
forests, at sunset, when the heavens seem 
opening, one half imagines Wisdom is just 
behind one, slipping between the trees — I 
(hesitates). 
Love DAY. What an enchanting country. Tell me — 

(Sounds of arrival disturb them. Robert 
Hyde enters. He is like Gordon, but 
much sturdier. He is very strong and 
manly, with a more sensual and less 
spiritual face. A very good fellow.) 

Nora. Here's Robert. Robert ! I have brought 

Loveday. This is Loveday Lewisham. 
She arrived last week, when you were out 
here. She would come so as to see a camp 
before you break it up. She wants to see 
everything. 

(Robert and Loveday shake hands. Robert 
is evidently much impressed.) 

Robert. I'll show her. (Goes over towards fire, 

and points to sheep enclosures at back.) 
Do you see those ? That's just the be- 
ginning of them. We have a rare good 
lot of sheep this year. 

Loveday. I am glad. We need everything good we 
can get this year. 

Robert, We need everything we can get every 
year. 



15 



LOVEDAY. 



Robert. 
Gordon. 



Nora. 



2nd Shep. 
Loved ay. 

Robert. 

Roto. 
Loveday. 

Robert. 
Loveday. 

Roto. 
Robert. 



Loveday 



But this year specially. There are so 
many people in England who need extra 
feeding and clothing. Your sheep will be 
useful. 

I hadn't thought of that. 
Wool and mutton ! Both necessaries. Of 
course we've all thought of that, Robert. 
Loveday is simply obsessed with the idea 
of the war, and says we ought not to have 
any luxuries. 
Aye. She's right. 

What is that sheep doing ? (Goes toward 
the lame sheep by the fire.) 
I dunno. Sick, I expect. Here, Roto. 
What is that sheep here for ? 
Leg broke, Boss. 

Oh, isn't it thirsty ? Look how its tongue 
hangs out. Let me give it some water. 
{Smiling.) It doesn't want water. 
Are sheep like rabbits ? Don't they need 
water ? 

(Laughing) Rabbits ! 
(Smiling.) Don't you speak of rabbits to 
a New Zealander! Rabbits are the very 
devil here ! We poison 'em, we shoot 
'em, we trap 'em, we set dogs on 'em, we 
set stoats on to 'em, we imported weasels 
to catch 'em, we sent to Europe for ferrets 
to hike 'em out, we breed cats to catch 
'em, we wire 'em in, and burn 'em out, 
and set poisoned corn over their runs, and 
kill 'em by thousands — but millions of 'em 
spring up out of the very earth and' some- 
times threaten to starve out the sheep, they 
clear the grass out. Rabbits ! For the 
Lord's sake don't speak affectionately of 
rabbits. 

(Laughing mischievously.) Darling little 
furry things with nice white tails ! 



16 



Robert. 



Gordon. 
Nora. 

Gordon. 



Nora. 

Gordon. 

Nora. 

Gordon. 

Nora. 
Gordon, 
Nora. 
Gordon. 



Nora. 
Gordon. 



Nora. 



(Groans.) But you're joking ! Come 
and I'll show you why we sheep farmers 
hate 'em like poison. 

1 r hey stroll off togethei. Roto takes the empty 
pail and goes off. Nora and Gordon are 
left together.) 

{Eagerly going, with a possessive air 
toward Nora.) Oh, it is wonderful to 
see you again ! 

(Pertly, teasing him and evidently enjoy- 
ing it.) Women are scarce here, I know, 
but there's nothing else wonderful about 
me. 

For me you are the dream of God which 
stirs the woodland, you are — (noting Jier 
unresponsive face). I say, do sit down. 
You'll be tired after that ride. Let me 
take your whip. Take your gloves off. 
Those little hands must ache after holding 
the reins for three hours. 
Pooh ! I like having the reins in my own 
hands. 

And so you should, they are such clever 
little hands. 

(Yawns affectedly.) Gordon, you're a 
romantic goose. 

I'm not. Everyone thinks you are 
wonderful, ask — ' 

Robert doesn't think I'm at all wonderful. 
Of course he does. 
Then why doesn't he tell me ? 
He — he's shy. But besides, though all 
men may think such things about a girl, 
they only say them when they love her. 
(Quizzically.) So you love me ? 
(Tenderly.) Is it a hundred or a hundred 
and one times I have told you so ? 
And what have I answered a hundred or a 
hundred and one times ? 



17 



GORDON. You have never once said no ! 

NORA. I didn't ask you what I didn't say, but 

what I did say. And what did I say ? 

GORDON. {Persuasively.) Say something different 
this time. You can't always be cruel, 
with that sweet face you have. 

Nora. Oh, can't I ? 

Gordon. Don't be, then. 

Nora. Besides I'm not cruel. You love me. 

That is very nice for you. Being in love 
is nice. Isn't it ? 

GORDON. Being in love with you would make the 
world a heaven if only you were kind ! 

NORA. I am kind— to myself. Being not in love 

with you is much kinder to myself than 
what you ask. You want me to be happy, 
don't you ? 

Gordon, Of course ! I'd die to make you happy ! 

NORA. I don't ask that. I only ask you not to 

talk of love. 

Gordon. How can I not talk of it when I love you ? 

NORA. (Turning away.) Well, if you are willing 

to die for me, why not stop loving me ? 

Gordon. No man could. 

Nora. (Flattered.) 'Urn. Perhaps. But a man 

could stop talking about it. Talk of some- 
thing else — anything interesting. What 
is Robert doing away so long ? 

Gordon. (Checking his tenderness with an effort, 

speaking in off-hand tones.) Shewing 
Miss Loveday the sheep. I say, she's 
handsome. 

NORA. Oh ? / don't think so. But you will be 

soon making love to her I see. I needn't 
have worried about your worrying me for 
long. 

GORDON. Don't say that, Nora. You know you are 
every beautiful thing to me. I hear your 
sweet voice every time the bell bird calls. 

B 



18 



I see your hair in the golden clouds after 
the sunset ; I think of you and the home 
nest you are making somewhere, particu- 
larly when I am out here sleeping out of 
doors. You know I never shall think 
there is anyone in the world like you. 
NORA. {Peremptorily.) Stop ! Where are Robert 

and Loveday ? Call them, Gordon. 
(Gordon coo-ees. An answer is heard.) 

GORDON. (With a little gust of temper.) You try 
to prevent us being alone. You grudge 
me these few minutes. It is cruel. 
Nora. Oh. La-la-la! (Whistles a snatch of 

tune.) 
(Loveday and Robert return, conversing. 
Loveday comes quickly across to Nora.) 

Loveday. Oh, Nora, what lots of sheep ! And the 
hills, how beautiful they are. The air is 
as clear as crystal and the sky seems so 
big. 

Gordon. You notice that ? Isn't the sky the same 
size in England, Miss Loveday ? 

Loveday. No ! The sky in England seems closer 
down on us than it is here. Our sky, 
even when it is blue, is as though all the 
smoke from all the chimneys had got on to 
it and weighed it down a bit. 

GORDON. Everything is big here ; and mostly 
beautiful. It makes big ideas come into 
one's head to be so solitary on these wide 
hills. Big ideas hover but they won't 
settle down into words, so one doesn't 
know clearly what they are. 

LOVEDAY. (Smiling encouragingly.) What are they 
about, the big ideas ? 

Gordon. Well, of course at present, about the war. 
The war is so huge one needs to be away 
from it, like we are here, to see how big 
it is. 



19 



Love day. 



Gordon. 

Love day. 
Gordon. 



Love day. 
Gordon. 



Love day. 

Robert ) 

and 
Gordon. I 
Loveday. 
Nora. 
Loveday. 



Yes. I felt that on the voyage out, 
passing over those miles and miles of 
clean, shining blue sea. I'd worked my 
hardest in a tiny corner till I had broken 
down, in London you know, but I didn't 
realise what I had been working at till I 
was far away on the sea. Then I began 
to ache and ache to find some way of 
doing more for it than I had done. 
(Whimsically.) And as I am on the 
sick list I seem able to do nothing at all. 
But you have done something. I've done 
nothing yet. 
" Your sheep— — ." 

(Smiling.) Wool and mutton are useful, 
I help produce those, but I must do more, 
Robert and I will both do more when we 
see clearly what we ought to do. 
That's a Briton's attitude. 
I've thought of joining an Expeditionary 
Force, but they haven't called for us yet 
— and, anyway, I don't know if that is 
the best one can do — to leave all these 
sheep we are raising, you know. They 
are needed. 

(The beautiful note of the hell bird is heard 
calling through the wood.) 

(Clasping her hands.) What is that ? 
Oh, what is that lovely note ? 

(Together.) That is the bell bird. 

Is it wild ? 

Of course, it is quite common. 

How clear and sweet! It is the voice of 

New Zealand herself, calling to her sisters 

all over the world, to wake, wake and sing 

the triumphal song of the Empire. That 

song will cross the waves in a thousand 



20 

hearts and echo in the very centre of our 

lands. 
NORA. Don't be a romantic goose, Loveday. 

The bell bird is as common as thrushes 

are in England. 
Loveday. You have so much beauty around you, has 

it become common to you ? 
Robert. Of course not, only we don't say much 

about it. You at home don't pour out 

poetry over every thrush that sits on a 

haw-hedge. 
Loveday. I would if I could ! (Smiling.) But I'll 

try not to make you think me too great a 

goose. This beautiful country has gone 

to my head perhaps. Everything here 

seems perfect ! 

(Noises without of an arrival on horseback, 

shepherds' voices, dogs barking, etc. 
Robert and Gordon look over their shoulders 
and exchange a knowing grin.) 

Robert. I think I hear the voice of one in perfection ! 

(Enter John Varlie. He is a florid man, 
with rather bulging eyes, a clean shaven 
face, with a noticeable but small triangular 
scar on the right cheek, one eyelid slightly 
moie closed than the other. He wears 
American clothes and speaks with a strong 
American accent. He is accompanied by 
the shepherds and dogs.) 

VARLIE. . Waal, boys! Here we are again. I have 
just delivered your new shearing gear 
down at your homestead and they told me 
down in the valley 1 should strike your 
trail up here, so I flicked up my grey 
mare to keep you from feelin' lonesome 
without me. 

Robert. (Amiably.) Halloo, Varlie. We aren't 

lonesome to-day. 

VARLIE. (Looking from one to the ot/ier.) The 

ladies ! I just can't quit now though I 



1\ 



guess I'm as little wanted as a bug in a" 
blanket. 

Robert. Not a wet blanket anyway. 

Gordon. You're welcome. We'll show you off. 
Miss Loveday Lewisham is fresh out 
from home and wants to see all the native 
sights. Miss Loveday, this is Mr. John 
Varlie, the universal provider. A regular 
conjurer who wafts the appliances of 
civilisation into our rude wilderness. 

VARLIE. Miss Lewisham, I'm proud to make your 

acquaintance. Say, cut that Hyde. I'm 
no conjurer. I'm a plain business man, 
and only doing what any other business 
man could do if he had the brains. 

Robert. That's it. It takes a Yankee to think of 
selling the goods we want in this part of 
the British Empire. 

Loveday. What do you want ? 

Varlie. {Slapping his leg.) What I've got here, 

Miss Lewisham. 

Nora. (A little spitefully.) I often thought you 

used your brains to make them think they 
wanted to buy what you wanted to sell. 

Varlie. Aw — come now, Miss Nora. You're real 

cute, but you don't think I could monkey 
with British brains ? 

NORA. (Lightly.) Well, the British brains in my 

neighbourhood are not fair game for you. 
(Looks at Robert.) They don't know 
what they ought to want (looks at Gordon) 
or they want what they can't get. 

VARLIE. Well, they all ought to have this ! (Pro- 

duces sample tin opener from his pocket. 
The Shepherds look eagerly on.) Is 
there a tin of food stuff around ? Sure-ly ? 

Roto. Here you are, Boss. 



(Runs to the shelter and returns with one.) 



72 



Vaklie. 



1st Shep. 

2nd Shep. 

Gordon. 

Varlie. 



Nora. 
Varlie. 



Loved ay 



Varlie. 



Loveday. 
Varlie. 

Gordon. 



Now this tin opener won't only save your 

breath, but it'll let the recording angel 

have a holiday. See that ? (Has slit the 

tin round rapidly and easily.) Can you 

beat that with any tin opener you ever set 

eyes on ? 

Noa. That'll be a useful kind — if they all 

work as easy. 

Aye. 

Bully for you. 

How many will you take ? You chaps 

ought to have one each. And the ladies ! 

There will be a day when the ladies are 

alone to get the supper, none of you handy 

Herculeses around. With this opener, 

getting the supper is as easy as smiling. 

Now then ! Only sixpence each. Finest 

American non-rusting steel. 

Fancy wasting your time with such a 

trifle, Mr. Varlie. 

Don't fret. I ain't wastin' my time. I 

came around your homestead with the big 

dump of machinery. And I am like the 

elephant's trunk, calculated to pull up a 

tree or pick up a pin. (Laughter.) I'm 

picking up more than you think, maybe. 

(Smiling and counting the people.) One, 

two, three, why there are six of us, if we 

have one each all round ! You don't mean 

to tell me that you have six tin openers in 

your pocket ? 

Yep. 'N I've got a pack horse over there 

with sixty on it, and sixty dozen in 

Dunedin, and sixty thousand where they 

came from ! Now, you'll have one, Miss ? 

Yes, I will. 

Bully. And you— 

(Gordon takes it half laughing.) 

All right. 



23 



Varlie. 
Robert. 

Varlie. 



Re. Off 



Gordon. 

Robert. 
Re. Off. 



1st Shep. 
Varlie. 



1st Shep. 
Varlie. 



Nora. 

Re. Off. 
Roto. 



And you — 

Not I. My jack knife has a claw that's 

good enough for me. 

Now, Mr. Hyde, just let me . . . 
(Leads Robert aside and tries to persuade him. 
Meanwhile there is a clatter without as of 
several horses arriving. A Recruiting 
Officer and two or three Young Men, 
all in khaki enter as if just from horse- 
back after a long ride. 
Varlie steps aside whispering with 1st 
Shepherd.) 

Hey, lads. They told me I should find a 
covey of you here. Fine! I'm glad we 
struck your camp. Whew ! We're dead 
thirsty ! Have you got any tea ? 
Sure. Those kettles are boiling. We'll 
have tea in a jiffy. 
Where are you going ? 
Zig-zagging cross country to the outlying 
stations. 
(Varlie aside, whispering with 1st Shepherd. 
The word " Germany " is overheard.) 

(Indignantly.) Are you askin' who around 
here sympathises with Germany ? 
(Annoyed.) No, no, you fool ! You ain't 
got me square ! (Shuts up note-book with 
a snap and turns axvay.) 
Are you square ? 

(Tipping him.) Here's to prove it. 
Shepherd takes the money, but 
rather distrustfully at VARLIE. 
separate.) 



(The 
looks 
They 



(To Recruiting Officer.) M 



But 
khaki 



you look fine ! That's the first 

we've seen round here. 

It'll not be the last, Miss. Khaki breeds 

khaki. 

(Chuckles. Suddenly, to ROBERT.) He 

is the colour of a rabbit, Boss, that's why. 



24 



Robert. 

LOVEDAY. 

Gordon. 
Re. Off. 



Robert. 
Re. Off. 

Nora. 
Re. Off. 



Varlie. 



Re. Off. 
Varlie. 

Re. Off. 
Varlie. 
Re. Off. 
Varlie. 



Shut up, you fool. This is serious. 
{Laughs.) Rabbits ? (She looks mis- 
chievously at Robert.) 
Sit down and have tea first, and then tell 
us all about it. 

Thanks. {To his Men.) You may sit 
down too, lads. We've ridden hard. But 
first water the horses. 

(One of his men goes out with pails, assisted by 
Roto. Splashing and champing sounds 
are heard. In a few minutes they return 
and sit with the rest.) 

Are you recruiting ? 

You've hit it, my lad. {Takes off his hat 

and wipes his forehead.) 

Let's see your hat. It is smart. 

{Flattered, passes it.) There, miss. 

(Nora leans over to Loveday and they examine 
it together. Nora takes off hir own and 
coquettishly tries it on, catches Robert's 
eye, he smiles and looks away ; catches 
Gordon's eye, he gazes admiringly at her, 
she tosses her head and takes the hat off. 
Mugs of tea are handed round, the men 
drink thirstily.) 

{Remaining, eagerly listening, leans over 

to Recruiting Officer.) Say, stranger, 

are you getting along well with your job ? 

{Keenly) And who are you ? 

Waal, I guess it can't be hard for you to 

lay your finger on the name of my country. 

I asked you. 

I'm an Amurrican. 

Passports all right ? 

{Affecting laziness, 

I should say. 



drawing them out.] 



(Recruiting Officer examines them, looks at 
him keenly, and passes them back.) 



25 



Robert. Hes all right, Officer ! We have had him 

around the station many a time. 
NORA. He's the only man with brains enough to 

sell us the things we want. 
Robert. He has brains enough to sell us the things 

we don't want. 
Re. Off. Brains are always suspicious. 
Robert. Oh, I say ! That's being too British ! 

Hes all right. Some straight men have 

brains. 
GORDON. ' And lots of straight men are muddled 

headed enough to think that wasting 

peoples time making a lot of truck nobody 

wants is good for trade. 
Re. Off. Pardon. This tea's good. Have you 

more, Missy ? 
Nora. As much as you want — Officer! Is that 

what I should call you ? 
Re. Off. That'll do for me fine, Missy. 
Nora. Fill up the kettle, Roto. 

Re. Off. Now my men. 'tenshun. (All three rise.) 

We'll have our meeting. 

(Roto returns, and he and the Shepherds 
croivd eagerly behind the others listening.) 

LoVEDAY. But we seem like friends now, are you 
going to give us a formal speech? 

Re. Off. When we speak of our King and Country 

we stand up to it like men, Miss. 

LoVEDAY. Then so do we. 

(She springs up. All rise and stand round the 
Recruiting Officer ivho is flanked by 
his own men.) 

Re. Off. God Save the King. 
All. God Save the King. 



{A fleecing sneer is seen on Varlie's face, but 
he sliouts louder than any.) 



26 



Re. Off. 



Several. 
Loveday 
Robert. 



Re. Off. 



All. 
Re. Off. 



Robert 

and 
Gordon. 
Re. Off. 



(Orator ically.) We have lived in New 
Zealand, some for years, some of us all 
our lives, and we know what New Zealand 
means to us. And most of us also know 
the Old Dart, know her and love her. 
Hear, hear ! 

( Whispering.) The Old Dart, what's that ? 
{Smiling down on her.) That's England, 
Great Britain, our pet name for the Old 
Country. 

Now the Old Dart's in trouble, fighting 
for her life — and, my lads, it's not only 
her life, it's our life, too, she's fighting for. 
Like a mother fightin' for her young. 
And, she's not only fightin for her young, 
which is us, she is fightin' for the world ! 
for decency, and truth, for liberty. 
(Increasingly enthusiastic.) Hear, hear! 
That's right. Bravo. 

She's fightin' for liberty, fightin' so that 
promises shall be kept between nations as 
decent men keep 'em between each other. 
(A murmur of assent.) 

You know if your neighbours were all the 
time to lie to you over everything they 
promised to do, you would never be able 
to keep going with them. Like a man, 
you'd have to u£> and show 'em what's 
what. And that's what the Old Dart is 
doing, and it is a big fight. But it is 
going on in Europe, which is more than 
10,000 miles away from us. You may 
ask what has it all to do with us ? 

Not us. We know. We don't ask what 
it has to do with us ! 

(Hesitates as if thrown off his track.) 
Then you don't need my speech. 
(Suddenly brightens and smiles appeal- 



27 

ingly.) Don't spoil my speech lads. 
Pretend to ask so you can hear it. It 
will make you feel real grand. 

Robert ) 

and \ Fire away then. Hear, hear ! 

Gordon.) 

Roto. {Excited.) That's it, Mister. Give it us. 

Re. Off. {Continues more eloquently.) Now we 

are New Zealanders, and we live in this 
free and happy land, you may ask, what 
has all this trouble in Europe to do with 
us ? 

Robert, j 

Gordon I Rear , Hear , w d we do k , 

and the \ 

Shepherds, j 

Re. Off. (Very effectively.) But I answer you 
lads, what language do we speak ? 
English ! What race are we ? Britons ! 
Why, lads, the British over there aren't 
as British as we are ; They are English 
and Scotch and Irish and Welsh — but 
what are we ? All these British strains 
mixed ! Most of us have some Scotch 
blood and some English blood and some 
Irish blood mixed in our veins, many of 
us have been to other parts of Britain and 
got a touch of Canada, or Australia, or 
South Africa into us. I say lads we are 
more British than the folks in the Old 
Dart. We are a fine blend of all the 
flavours of different Britons, we are the 
very essence of Britain ! We are epitomes 
of Empire. 

All. (Enthusiastic.) Hurray, that's right. 

Hear, hear ! Go it ! 

ROTO. (Particularly enthusiastic.) We are, we 

are, hear, hear, Boss ! 



28 



1st Shep 
Re. Off. 
Gordon. 
Robert. 
Re. Off. 



Roto. 
Re. Off. 



All. 



(Digging Roto in the ribs.) Ho, Ho ! 
Do I need to tek you it's a righteous war ? 
We know that ! 

Shut up, let him give us his speech ! 
{Smiling.) I wasn't going into that. I 
don't have to tell our lads it's a righteous 
war. I only asked it like a rhetorical 
question this time. 

Go on, Boss, go on. You speak most as 
fine as a Maori chief. 

Now, if Britons are engaged in this war, 
we are engaged, for are we not the Britons 
of the British ? We are. And lads, I 
will tell you, in the words of our own 
Prime Minister, Mr. Massey himself, I 
say to you that " All that ice have and 
are is staked upon the issue of the war ! " 
(Tremendous enthusiasm.) Hear, hear, 
bravo, hurrah ! 



{A roar of sound drowns the actual words. 
Varlie shouts, but has a slight sneering 
smile on his lips as he watches the generous 
enthusiasm of the others.) 



Re. Off. Now lads, you know we are free Britons 
in this country. We expect every New 
Zealander will do his duty because he's 
glad, aye and proud to do it. You are all 
only waiting to be told what to do. We 
have no compulsion. But when you 
know what we are going to do, you'll all 
want to join in. 

Shepherds. Tell us Mister. 

Re. Off. We are a small nation. Only about a 
million souls of us altogether, counting 
women and children. Now that's very 
small as nations go. But what are we 
going to do ? We are going to put a 
larger number of troops in the field than 



29 



Re. Off. 



All. 
Loveday. 

Re. Off. 

Robert. 

Re. Off. 



1st Shep. 
Re. Off. 



the British had in the great battle of 
Waterloo ! 

(All at first incredulous, then wildly enthu- 
siastic.) 
Aye, Ave, lads. Well may you shout. 
That's what comes of being New Zealand 
Britons. But we are going to do more. 
We are going to do what the experts tell 
us is the most possible that any nation can 
do ; in three years we are going to have 
ten per cent, of our total population in the 
field ! That's the maximum, the absolute 
scientific limit of what any nation can put 
in. And that means from our little 
country we shall send one hundred 
thousand men to the field. 
Hurray, hurray ! 
{Glowing.) How splendid, 
you are ! 

That's it Missy, that's how 
women take it. 
She's English, she's just 
home ! 

From the Old Dart ? Our 
you back Missy, all of us would like to, 
only the years have passed over some, 
and that ties 'em. When the years press 
on your shoulders you can't carry the 
knapsack too ! And I see some of you 
chaps are too old. 

(Groans.) I am, curse the day I was 
born. 

But all of you, every one of you has your 
part to play. If you can't fight you can 
save. That's what the people of New 
Zealand haven't realised yet. How many 
of our patriots have reduced their con- 
sumption of petrol or of beer by a single 
gallon because of their patriotism ? Yet 



how 
New 



splendid 
Zealand 
visiting from 
men' 11 follow 



30 



Gordon. 
Love day 
Gordon. 
Loveday 



Gordon. 
Re. Off. 



Men. 
Re. Off. 



Gordon. 



Re. Off. 

Roto. 
Re. Off. 



that is what they must do. That's what 
we all must do. 

Men must fight 

And women must save 

The path of glory for Britons to pave. 

(Loveday and Gordon stand a little apart and 
aye talking.) 

Ah, this stirs one ! I wonder if this is 
what I ought to do ? 

(Smilingly shakes her head.) I don't 
know. 

A man has only one life. That's all he 
can give to his country. 
But the thousands of sheep you raise may 
be even more useful ! (mischievously). 
It is a question you know — is one man as 
much use to his country as his ten 
thousand sheep ? 
Old men can raise sheep. 
(Louder, catching all eyes.) And now to 
come to the fighting element. Iv'e just 
said, all of you can do something. But 
those of you who can fight are wanted 
now. Have you seen this paper ? (Takes 
official set of questions out of his pocket.) 
(Shaking their heads.) No. What is it ? 
Then I'll read it to you. It is addressed 
to all men between nineteen and forty-five. 
Which of you are between nineteen and 
forty-five ? 

(Looks across at LOVEDAY and says to 
her alone.) That's a direct message to me. 
(Gordon, Robert, Roto and the 2nd Shep- 
herd stand out, each saying "I am.'") 

(Slapping Roto on the shoulder.) How 

old are you ? 

(Quickly.) Forty-five, Mister. 

Open your mouth. 

(,Roto opens and shows browned teeth.) 



31 



Re. Off. {Laughing.) Forty-five, with that hair 

and those teeth ! 

Roto. {Protesting.) I am, I am. My hair gone 

pale when I was nearly drowned in the 

Rotorua hot spring. 
Re. Off. Get out. 
Roto. {Persistently.) I'm strong man. I'm 

young man, see my muscle. Feel my arm. 
Re. Off. You are not a Pakeha. You can't fight 

with the Pakeha. 

Loveday. {To Nora.) What is Pakeha? What 
does he mean ? 

Nora. Pakeha are white men, Englishmen. 

Roto. {Protesting.) My father was a Queen- 

Maori. 

Re. Off. Was he ? That's good. 

Loveday. Whatever is a Queen- Maori ? 

Re. Off. In the great war, missy, the Maori war, 

the Maoris who fought on the side of the 
English, under Queen Victoria, you know, 
they were called Queen-Maoris. 

Roto. My father fought with Pakeha then, why 

not me to-day ? Take me. I am strong 
like the branches of the Kauri pine. I 
am hard as my hei-tiki. My father was a 
Queen -Maori. I will be a Queen -Maori 
and fight for you. Take me. 

Re. Off. You are too old. You are sixty years old 
if you are a minute. 

Roto. No, no. 

Re. Off. {To the 1st Shepherd.) He is on your 
station, isn't he ? How old is he ? 

1ST Shep. Well, we don't know exactly. But it is 
about six years ago since we had a feast 
and a good drink because he said it was 
his fiftieth birthday. 



32 



Re. Oil'. There! Stand aside my man. If you 

are so strong you must do the work the 
young men Jeave behind them. 

(Roto protests, and expresses chagrin but says 
no more.) 

Re. Off. (To Gordon not noticing his lameness 



Gordon. 
Re. Off. 
Robert. 
Re. Off. 
2nd Shep. 
Re. Off. 
2nd Shep. 
Re. Off. 



All Three. 
Re. Off. 



All Three. 
Re. Off. 



All Three. 



as he stands with the others.) 

7 



How old 



are you, sir 

Twenty-nine. 

(To Robert.) And you, sir ? 

Thirty-one. 

Good! (To 2nd Shepherd.) And you ? 

Forty-two. 

H'm. -You look more. 

I'm forty-two (glares.) 

(Feeling his arm and looking at him.) 

H'm. Well. Now lads. On this paper 

are the following questions addressed 

specially to you as you are between 

nineteen and forty-five. Question A. 

Have you volunteered for military service 

beyond New Zealand as a member of an 

Expeditionary Force in connection with 

the present war? If so, have you been 

accepted for service or rejected ? 

No. No, Boss. r No. 

Well, Question B. If you have not 

volunteered for service, are you, being a 

single man without dependants, willing to 

become a member of an Expeditionary 

Force ? or (2) Are you — ? By the way, 

let's settle that first. Are you all single 

men ? 

Yes. Yes. Yes, sir. 

Then I needn't read the alternative 

questions. Are you willing to become 

members of an Expeditionary Force ? 

Yes, 



33 



Re. Off. 



All Three 
Robert. 

Re. Off. 

Robert. 

Re. Off. 

Gordon. 
Re. Off. 

Re. Off. 
Gordon. 



That's right, lads. Now I'll be honest 
with you, and tell you that all the law 
asks of you is to sign copies of this paper 
and send them in — you will get them 
officially in a few days maybe — but that's 
not what I'th here for, to get from you a 
mere scrap of paper with a promise for 
the future on it. I'm here to get you 
yourselves, lads, now. That's better fitted 
to a Briton than to write his name on a 
bit of paper, and to go back to his ordinary 
job ! He that puts his hand to the plough 
and turns back — you know what it says in 
the Bible. You lads, and I, have got 
acquainted this afternoon, and I know 
you're not that kind. 

No! We are not! We'll come now, 

right now ! 

(Taking a step forward.) I'll come at once. 

That's square. (Looking at LOVEDAY 

and smiling.) Can you fit me out in 

khaki right now, Officer ? 

The doctor'll have to examine you (indi- 
cating one of the men with him) and 

you'll have to take the oath. 

Yes, yes. Surely you have an extra 

uniform handy ! 

(Smiling.) It's very irregular, sir. We'll 

see later, step aside. 

Now me. 

(Examines him more carefully. Speaking 

kindly.) Step across to me, sir. 

(Gordon tries to conceal his limp as much as 
possible, but of course fails.) 

(Shaking his head.) No good, sir. Why, 

you're lame ! 

And I'm strong ! I've 
I can ride day and night 
I'd join the mounted rifles ! 
C 



Hardly at all 
never been ill. 
in the saddle. 



34 



Re. Off. 
Gordon. 



Robert. 
Re. Off. 

LOVEDAY 



Re. Off. 
Gordon. 



Re. Off. 
Gordon. 



Gordon. 
Nora. 

Gordon. 



Nora. 
Robert. 



Not a bit of good, sir. 

(Unbelieving.) I'm the right age. I'm 

strong. I can ride like a cow-boy. I can 

shoot better than my brother. 

That's so. 

Your bit is not at the front. 

Oh, officer. Is it impossible ? It is such 

a trifling limp. 

(Gordon looks acutely distressed but smiles 
bravely and very gratefully at Loveday.) 

Not a bit more good than if you was to 
ask, Missy. 

(Half stammering in his eagerness.) You 
must take me, somehow or other. You 
must. I can shoot. I never miss my 
aim ! What is the good of coming here 
and rousing us all up with your talk of 
soldiering if you won't take the best shot 
in the place ? 

(Kindly.) You'll do no fighting, sir. 
(Overcome.) Curse the tree that staked 
me ! Curse the fools that didn't heal me 
square ! 

{There is an awkward silence. He flings up to 

Nora, who is a little apart from the rest, 

his eyes blazing 

Nora, what do you say ? Aren't I fit to go ? 
(Calmly.) Of course not, Gordon. I can't 
think how you could have expected — 
(Wildly.) Now I see why you never 



loved 



me 



You've teased me often 



enough. I've made love like a man, but 
to you, to you I was never a man ! I Fee 
it now. You all think me useless. You 
don't look on me as a man ! 

(.1 tense pause, Loveday and Robert look 

rather awkwardly distressed.) 

(Somewhat cowed.) Don't be silly. 
I say, old chap, don't take it so hard, 



35 



GORDON. Wouldn't you take it hard if both your 
country and the woman you love told you 
plainly you were mere useless rubbish ? 

LoVEDAY. (Pitifully) Perhaps you will find a still 
greater thing to do for your country. It 
is not only fighters she needs. 

Gordon. (His lips quivering.) You are kind. But, 
oh God ! — 

(He goes toward shelter away from the others 
and aimlessly unfolds the blankets, folds 
them up again, and re-arranges the pile ; 
opens them out and re-folds them, and so on. 

Meanwhile, the Recruiting Officer has 
quietly asked questions of the .2xd Shep- 
herd, whose answers are satisfactory. 

Loveday looks from one to the other, then sits 
brooding, glancing pitifully at Gordon 
from time to time. 

While this is going on, the Recruiting 
Officer takes Robert and the 2nd 
Shepherd out, followed by the men with 
him, leaving Nora, 1st Shepherd, Roto 
and Varlie in a group. Loveday a 
little apart.) 

Roto. (Grumbling, to 1st Shepherd.) You 

have a black heart, you Pakeha tutua. 

1st Shep. Trying to lie about your age? You are 
older than I am. 

Roto. Why not lie about your age, too ? 

1st Shep. What would become of the sheep if I went 
off? Are the sheep to die on the hills 
because the Germans are scurvy dogs ? 
And the best lot of sheep we have had, too, 
since I've been on the station ! 

NORA. When will you black fellows learn not to 

tell lies ? What is the good of telling lies 
any way, when you are always found out ? 

ROTO, I wouldn't have been if he hadn't wagged 

his tongue ! And to tell a bit of a lie so to 
give your life, that's no lie. 



36 



Varlie. Ah, Miss Nora, don't try to stamp out 

necessary lying. The world would be in a 
queer way if none of us told lies once in a 
way. I'll wager you this patent button 
hook you tell lies yourself now and then. 
Little ones ! 

Nora. (Smiling.) Oh, w T ell — when I say I'm glad 

to see you, for instance, that's not a lie. 
It doesn't take you in ! 

Varlie. Freeze on to the button hook, Miss Nora. 

I've won my wager. It is only sixpence. 

NORA. (Tosses it back to him.) What are you 

dreaming about, Loveday ? 

Lovedav. Before ever I met you all — for months 
past — I have been thinking about Gordon's 
problem. What is one who cannot fight 
to do for our country ? 

Nora. Save, as you said yourself. 

Loveday. It isn't only fighting and saving the nation's 
needs. It needs thinking. Wouldn't it 
be splendid to see a man's strength and 
his brains put into thinking that might 
save thousands of lives in the time to come. 

Varlie. People who talk about thinking are 

generally fools. The wise man thinks his 
hardest how to conceal what he is thinking. 

LOVEDAY. {Swiftly and scornfully.) That's a worldly 
man, whose thoughts are grasping. I w r as 
dreaming of a man whose thoughts would 
be gifts. 

Varlie. Thoughts are pretty cheap gifts. 

Lovedav. Is there anything we possess that did not 
grow from a thought ? Isn't the freedom 
in your country the result of the thought 
of the men who framed your Constitution ? 
Isn't all law, all order, all happiness, 
thought, or the results of it ? 

Varlie, Huh ! That's too deep for me. 



37 



Nora. {Reproving) You are such a dreamer, 

Loveday. It's so woolly to dream, stop it. 
LOVEDAY. My dreams are beginning to clear. If no 
one had ever thought, we would be savages 
still. All human beings would be tearing 
out each other's eyes, always. 
Vaklie. Yep. But talking about my thoughts is 

not my job. ( Yawning.) I must be 
getting along. When are those fellows 
going to start ? 

(Sounds of cheering and laughter and trampling 
without. Robert comes swaggering on in 
a Khaki uniform with hat jauntily tilted. 
He is followed by the 2nd Shepherd with 
Badge and A rmlet. Recruiting Officer 
and his men follow, grinning. The group 
round the fire startup. All crowd round 
Robert shouting, admiring and patting 
him on the hack. Robert goes up to 
Loveday and salutes her, she smiles at 
him cheerily.) 

Loveday. Bravo ! How fine you look ! 

(She looks past him however, to where Gordon 
is wistfully watching the group, and 
mastering himself to come forward. She 
smiles very sweetly and encouragingly at 
Gordon. The sky slowly takes on sunset 
tints.) 

Nora. (To Robert.) Give me one of your 

buttons. I'll wear it. 
Robert. (Putting her off, with forced gaiety.) With 

the officer looking ? Shame on you ! 
Nora. (To Recruiting Officer.) A man 

who's enlisted is allowed to give away one 

button, isn't he ? 
Re. Off. (Smiling.) One— only one — to the girl 

he loves. 
Nora. (Invitingly.) Now, Robert, you hear ! 

(Gordon overhears this and waits eagerly for 
Robert's answer.) 



Robert. 

Nora. 
Varlie. 

Nora. 
Gordon. 



Robert. 



Gordon. 
Robert. 
Nora. 

All. 



Robert. 



38 



(Laughs and comically struts) Don't 

shear my feathers off me yet ! 

(To Varlie.) Men are vain. 

Take one of my buttons! (Holds out his 

coat.) 

(Eyes flashing.) When you're in khaki ! 

(Pulling himself together, holds out his 

hand to ROBERT, speaks huskily.) Good 

luck, old chap, the best of luck ! 

(Loveday looks proudly at Gordon.) 

(Claps Gordon's shoulder with his free 
hand.) Keep the station going till- 1 come 
back, sonny. 
I will, Robert. 
If I come back ! 

(Excitedly.) Of course you will. You'll 
come back with a V.C., won't he, lads ? 
Of course. He's just the make of a hero. 
Hurrah ! Bravo ! 

(All crowd round him shouting and singing 
snatches of" Rule Britannia, God Save the 
King," etc. 

The sunset is crimson by now.) 



Look at the sky ! 
getting back. 



Come, we must be 



(All follow him, marching, waving branches, 
etc., singing, " See the Conquering hero 
comes.'' 1 The rest troop off, but Robert 
turns and goes up to Loveday who is 
lingering and keeps her apart.) 



Robert. 

Loveday 

Robert. 



Loveday 



Wait a minute, won't you ? 

Yes ? Of course, what is it ? 

(Shyly.) I say, I — won't you — (he takes 

out his jack knife and cuts off a button, 

offering it to her) I say, won't you, won't 

you wear it, just to bring me luck ? 

(Hesitates.) Oh— I— 



39 



Robert. 

LOVEDAY. 

Robert. 
Loveday 



Gordon. 



Gordon, 



Of course I don't mean — to — to bother you 
in any way. I mean it only in — in friend- 
ship ! Just to bring me luck. Do! There's 
nothing in it — nothing silly — like what they 
said. 

(Smiling, very charmingly.) Shall I sew 
it on again for you ? 

Oh ! If you won't have it — you may sew 
it on if I may keep my coat on while you 
are doing it ! 

Very well. Heroes have to be humoured, 

I suppose. Come along, it's getting late ! 

(They follow the others, as she is going off she 

looks back and sends a compassionate glance 

towards Gordon. 

The sky rapidly darkens. Gordon stays 

behind, waits till they are all out of sight, 

then tli rows himself face down on the 

ground, clenching his hands and moving as 

though in pain. The bell bird's clear sweet 

note is heard. He lies in silence then 

groans aloud.) 

To both my country and the woman I 
love, I'm not a man. I'm lumber — useless 
lumber ! Nora ! Nora ! 

(Gordon crouches in despair. The stage is 
now dusky, a pale moon show's. Softly, 
without any noise, between the trunks of 
two tall trees appears behind him the upper 
part of a white figure, with the forehead 
and head half covered by a floating white 
veil; the face is tender and grave, the eyes 
gloiving as if inspired. In the shadowy 
light the figure looks like a vision. Gordon 
does not recognise that it is Loveday. He 
sloiidy, as if mesmerised, rises on to his 
knees. There is a sweet low call of the bell 
bird far away. Stillness for a moment. 
Loveday stands silent between the trees.) 

{Still half kneeling, speaking in awed 
tones.) You are a spirit ? 
(Loveday is quite still.) 



40 

GORDON. You are the goddess of the woods come to 
me in my pain ! Tell me, you beautiful, 
you wonderful — tell me, what have I to do ? 
Speak to me, speak to me ! 

(Loveday does not move ; in a soft, penetrating 
voice, she intones, like a chant,) 

LOVEDAY. The bodies of men that can fight are 

mown down like the grass. 

The body of one young man, even if he 
is a prince among men cannot slay 
more than a hundred of his enemies. 

But by thought a man's brain might 
conceive of a way to kill or to save 
hundreds of thousands. 

Now is the time for a Briton to arise 
who can slay with his great thought 
all the enemies of the future. 

Now is the time for one to bring forth a 
noble plan, so that all the treacherous 
aggressors shall be for ever disarmed 
and the peaceful nations be for ever 
free from fear of onslaught. 

(She draws the veil across her face, takes a step 
back into the dusk and vanishes.) 

GORDON. {Exalted and trembling with eagerness.) 
Angel ! Goddess ! Tell me — how — 

(She does not return and makes no sound.) 



Slowly the CURTAIN descends. 



41 



Act II 



Three or Four months later than Act I. 

The Hyde's Homestead, S. Island, New 
Zealand. Left back, one end of the low 
homestead with its broad, creeper-covered 
verandah abuts on to the garden. A rough 
piece of road runs across right back of stage. 
Back cloth painted with luxurious vegeta- 
tion and vivid blue sky. Mixture of 
common English fruit trees and Eucalyptus, 
the lily-palm, masses of crimson ratas in 
flower. 

Gordon Hyde and Loveday discovered 
sitting together in garden, down right. 
Gordon has a sheaf of papers and writing 
pad on his knee, pen in hand. Loveday is 
chewing the end of a flower stalk as though 
thinking. 

GORDON. {Laying down papers and looking at 

LOVEDAY with friendship and admiration 
in his eyes, but not love.) It is good of 
you coming over so often to help me. I 
don't know what I should have done 
without you. The others try to slay with 
laughter all my young ideas. I am 
indebted to you ! 

LOVEDAY. No, no ! It has been simply splendid for 
me to see you work out these great ideas. 
It has been wonderful to watch the little 
germ of your conception grow and grow 
and take practical shape in your wonderful 
brain ! 

GORDON. Oh, it is not mine. None of all this 
{indicating papers on his knee) is mine. 
All my ideas before that day had been 
vague and muddled. Now I am only 
writing down the ideas that vision, that 
goddess gave me. 



42 

LoVEDAY. The practical ideas are yours. 

Gordon. No. 

Loveday. Yes. Indeed they are, I've watched you 
shaping them. 

GORDON. No. The germ of everything was in that 
beautiful message she gave me. 

LOVEDAY. {Looking at him as though acquiescing 
tenderly to humour him. He does not see 
the look.) Who was it do you think ? 

Gordon. A spirit. 

LoVEDAY. (Triumphantly.) There are no spirits 
you know — no spirits that talk to living 
people. The ideas are your own, your 
very own — 

Gordon. Perhaps the Maoris are right. This was 
a spirit. It couldn't have been imagina- 
tion ! I heard her speak quite clearly. 
Her wonderful voice was like music, 
thrilling and deep like the songs of birds 
in a cool, deep glade. 

Love DAY. But you were overwrought. Imagination 
plays tricks then. 

Gordon. Yes, I was overwrought. That recruiting 
business had amazingly stirred me. But 
what she said was so remote from my 
misery that I could not have imagined 
anything so vital, so full of hope. I felt 
shamed, anquished. I felt my manhood 
beaten in the dust, by my country, by the 
woman I loved. 

Loveday. (Murmurs.) No, no. 

Gordon. Do you know what love is ? Have you 
ever loved? If not, you could never 
understand my shame. 
LOVEDAY. I have never loved — 

(His face is averted, she looks at him long and 

tenderly.) 



unti, 



43 



Gordon, 



Love day 
Gordon. 



Loved ay. 



Gordon. 



LOVEDAY. 

Gordon. 

Loveday. 

Gordon. 



Loveday. 
Gordon. 

Loveday. 

Gordon. 

Loveday. 
Gordon. 



Ah, but you— beautiful and radiant as you 
are will never know what it is to have love 
spurned— as I have. 
I'm not — so— sure ! 

(Eagerly.) Are you not sure that my love 
is spurned ? Do you think Nora, after 
all, may love me ? 

That's — that's not quite what I meant. 
But — when— when once Nora sees how the 
great world honours you for these ideas (taps 
papers on his knee) she will love you, she 
must. All women will love you and bless 
you— for you will be the saviour of their 
sons ! 

But Nora is so living—so— feminine. I 
don't think dreamy things like ideas 
appeal to her. Oh, how well I remember 
her as a girl with her golden hair flying ! 
We three were brought up together, she 
and Robert and I. She never cared about 
reading, but always played some real game. 
As she gets older she will see that ideas 
are real. Perhaps, and then- 
Wish that for me ! 

Are you sure you wish it for yourself ? 
Sure ! Wish it for me ! There is some- 
thing wonderful about you. Your wishes 
would bring me luck. 
I wish you every, every happiness. 
That's vague. Say, "I wish that Nora 
may love you and make you happy." 
I wish that if Nora loves you she may 
make you happy. 

Ah, /'/ (suddenly looking at tier). What's 
the matter with you ? Your voice sounds 
tired. Are you tired ? 
Yes. That's it. I am a little tired. 
We'll stop the work. 



44 



LOVEDAY. No, no. See. • I'll come here in the 
shade. (She moves where lie can't see her 
face.) Now read over some of what you 
have written, and I'll listen critically. 
GORDON. (Looks at her for a moment, then reads.) 
" The nations shall unite and have a 
super-parliament to which they shall all 
send a small number of representatives. 
This super-oarhament shall make Inter- 
national laws, but it shall chiefly exist to 
prevent any nation flying at another's 
throat. If necessary, by force." (/// 
another tone.) Flying at another's throat, 
doesn't seem formal enough, does it? 
Perhaps not. Mark it. Go on. 
" In order to prevent any murderously- 
minded nation flying at another's throat (in 
different tone) as Germany did at Belgium. 
That example will never be forgotten." 
Never. But go on. 

" In order to prevent for ever," I'll add 
for ever, shall I ? 
Jes. 

" In order for ever to prevent any mur- 
derously-minded nation flying at another's 
throat, or stealing any of the rights, or 
breaking any international law, the super- 
parliament shall have behind it the whole 
of the armaments of the world." That's 
good, isn't it ? That's the point. 
Loveday. Splendid ! That's where your scheme 
differs from all the dear crack-brained 
pacificists. Have you written out the 
clauses by which that is secured ? 
GORDON. Yes. (Shuffles the papers.) " The super- 
parliament is to have complete control of 
all the armies and all the armament 
factories in the whole world. Any indi- 
vidual or group of individuals violating 



Loveday 
Gordon. 



Loveday 
Gordon. 

Loveday 
Gordon. 



45 



that monopoly and attempting private 
manufacture of armaments shall be subject 
to instant death." 

LOVEDAY. Good ! 

GORDON. You are bloodthirsty ! 

Loveday. I am only cruel to villains to be kind to 
the virtuous. But I'm afraid a really 
sneak-dog nation, like — -well, like some we 
could mention, would have made armaments 
secretly and piled them up. 

GORDON. No, no, because— (shuffles the papers.) 

Where is it ? There is to be a clause 
preventing any such hanky-panky. 

Loveday. There is no doubt,, that if that is managed 
properly, however greedy or treacherous 
any individual nation might be, it simply 
wouldn't dare to go to war. 

Gordon. That's the idea. 

Loveday. And that is a much more practical idea 
than that of the pacificists who talk about 
voluntary limitation of armaments. 

GORDON. They idealise human nature. 

Loveday. Now your plan compels decent behaviour. 

GORDON. Don't call it mine. It is all the gift of my 
fairy genius of the woods. 

Loveday. (Smiling as though tenderly humouring 
him.) Have you seen her again — your 
spirit in the woods ? 

Gordon. No, only that once. 

LOVEDAY. Well, what you told me of her words then 
was just the vague dream of an idea, but 
look at all these sheets and sheets of 
carefully worked out clauses. All these 
actual, practical, useful ideas are yours ! 

GORDON. They are not. Though I was dreaming 
and longing vaguely for something of the 
kind, I'm not big enough actually to have 
thought it out. 

Loveday. You are. You are big enough for anything ! 



46 



GORDON. Nora doesn't think so. 

Loveday. {Scornfully.) Nora ! 

Gordon. Why are you so keen on making me think 
too well of myself ? 

Loveday. Not too well. 

Gordon. Why do you trouble that I should even 
think well of myself at all ? 

Loveday. Because when a man is a man he should 
respect himself as one man respects 
another. 

Gordon. You are wonderful — women generally try 
to make a man feel a worm. 

LOVEDAY. (Hastily.) What I like best about this 
splendid scheme of yours is, that even 
Germany will have to accept it when it is 
proposed to her, because she is all the 
while demanding " only her own national 
safety," and pretending she has no aggres- 
sive desires, so she can't have the face to 
refuse to join in — and yet when she does 
her militarism will be choked. Nothing 
coulddestroyall militarism moreeompletely 
than this ! 

Gordon. Yes. And she would give herself away 
so utterly if she stood out ! 

Loveday. And if she did stand out, she'd — 

(Nora, with a basket of fruit on her arm, enters 
from road.) 

NORA. (Laughing.) Halloo, you two ? At it 

again ? Settling the affairs of the world 
in this remote spot ! 

Gordon. Why not ? Every spot is remote from 
somewhere else. 

NORA. London is not remote from the war, and 

if your ideas aren't boiled gooseberries, 
they had better get to London. 

Loveday. Of course they will get to London. All 
ideas reach London in the end, 



47 



GORDON. Robert left nie here on trust. I must keep 
his sheep going, at any rate till I can get 
a responsible manager. Then I'll go to 
London. 

NORA. London has got too many ideas of its own 

to listen to an utterly unknown New 
Zealand sheep farmer. 

GORDON. (Sighing.) It may take time ! 

Nora. {Laughing.) Time ! It'll take more than 

time. You don't know a soul in London. 

Gordon. I don't, that's flat. 

Love day. / do. 

NORA. Yon do ? Of course you do. You will 

have to write him introductions. How 
will you begin ? " A young genius, called 
Gordon Hyde, has ideas to set the Thames 
on fire. For love of me please give him a 
match " — or — " Gordon Hyde is my dear 
friend, and a dear fool, and as sometimes 
fools rush in where angels fear to tread, 
please send him in your motor car at once 
to the Prime Minister." 

(Both laugh, though Gordon flushes as if 
somewhat hurt.) 

Loveday. You laugh because you don't know how 
powerful a really great idea is. 

Nora. I don't. Perhaps because I've never met 

one. 

Loveday. (Seeing Gordon looking wistfully at 
Nora, rises.) Here, Gordon, give me 
those papers. We have done enough for 
the present. I'll take them into the house. 
(She sent /iters along the verandah and 
enters the Jiouse.) 

Gordon. Sit down, Nora. You'll be tired after 
picking all that fruit. I'll carry it over 
for you when you are rested. 
Nora. I can carry it quite well myself. I'm 

every bit as strong as you. 



43 



Gordon, 
Nora. 



Gordon. 

Nora. 

Gordon. 

Nora. 

Gordon. 

Nora. 

Gordon. 

Nora. 

Gordon. 



Nora. 
Gordon. 



Roto. ) 
1st Shep. ) 



Varlie. 



Several. 

Nora. 



Don't, Nora. Don't always be cruel now. 

I'm not cruel. It would be much crueller 

to keep you dangling around, puffed up 

with hope. 

I'd be happier. 

Only for a bit. It couldn't go on. 

Why not ? 

Am I the kind of girl never to marry ? 

Nora ! You're not — not engaged ? 

Not — yet. 

But— when will it be, I wonder ! 

Now, you are rude. Couldn't I be engaged 

any minute I liked. 

Nora, how you tease me ! And yet, I 

believe, underneath it all you are fond of 

me— a little. 

Of course, I'm fond of you. We were 

brought up like brother and sister. 

But now, Nora — oh, bother ! 

(There is a hullabaloo outside and Roto and 
the 1st Shepherd run on looking towards 
road and shouting.) 

Hey, mister, here's a sight. Look at that 
now ! The first, the very first that's been 
along that road. Hoo-o ! 

{There is the sound of a carefully driven car, 
and a spidery looking motor car driven by 
Varlie draws up at the gate. Varlie 
waves his hat. All run forward, 
Loveday comes out of the house, the collie 
dog runs up, and a babble ensues.) 

Yes, siree. I'm the boy to get the hustle 

on to these roads. I'll lay my bottom 

dollar this is the first car that has pulled 

up at this Homestead. 

Yes. It is. It is that. Just fancy! 

I say, what an idea ! You are a smart 

man, Mr, Varlie. 



49 



Varlie. 



LOVEDAY, 

Varlie. 



Gordon. 



Varlie. 

Gordon. 
Varlie. 



Nora. 
Varlie. 



Nora. 

Loveday 
Gordon. 

Varlie. 



Smart ! It 'ud tickle a racer to get ahead 
of me. I'm out to bring this country up 
to date. Why, you folk would go on 
sleeping here same as if automobiles had 
never been invented. 
And I wish they hadn't! 
You just say that, Miss Loveday, because 
you are a beautiful English girl — for 
England's so small it is most over-run 
with automobiles, that drop off it into the 
sea — but you wait till you see what this 
little roundabout can do for these God- 
forsaken stations. 

(Grinning amiably.) Don't you lay it on 
too thick if you want to sell your car. 
And I suppose that's what you're after ? 
Sure ! (Laughing.) Did you think I 
was intending to give it to you ? 
We might do without it. 
Not likely. Not when you had once set 
eyes on it. The ladies would fair grab at 
it if you let it slip. 

There is my dad — he'll be mad not to see 
it. He is away out in the hills, or I'd 
fetch him along this minute. 
Waal, let me show you what this little 
packet of lightening can do. With this 
back seat raised she will take four of you 
into the city in just one-third of the time 
that your horses would take you on their 
backs. And you arrive spick and span 
as a daisy in your glad rags instead of 
carrying your things to change every time 
there is a dance or a the-atre. 
(Clapping her hands.) Splendid, simply 
splendid. Wouldn't that be lovely ! 
It might. 

If it didn't jib half way. 
No, siree. Not if you drive her right. 

D 



50 



Nora. 
Gordon, 

Nora. 
Gordon, 

Varlie. 



Nora, 
Gordon 
and Others 
Together 
Varlie. 



Gordon. 
Varlie. 

Nora. 
Varlie. 

Gordon. 



Varlie. 



You'll have to learn how, Gordon. 

If you have the car I will learn to drive 

it all right. 

I must have it. 

Your dad'll never spend so much just on 

your running about. 

But I've not done yet, by gum ! See 

what business she'll do. See what she 

will carry. If you don't have that little 

back seat raised, but have it locked down, 

this whole back top of her will open out 

on a hinge, and run behind on runners, 

stretching her out like a trolley car. See ? 

(He manipulates the back oj car as 

he speaks.) Then you put up these rails, 

bolt 'em together — and look at the freight 

she'll carry ! 

Wonderful ! I say. that's neat. Fancy 
that now ! That's a difference from my 
young days. 

She won't carry machinery or dead weight 

like that — but all your ordinary freight — 

flour, groceries — all you want out from 

the city — she'll take in your fruit so that 

you can sell it fresh in town instead of 

letting it rot on 'your trees — she — 

Have you sold any around here ? 

Sold any ? Why, there's scarcely a 

station that isn't ordering one. 

We must, dad must ! 

Ah, Miss Nora. I bet your poppa knows 

his duty to a T peach like you ! 

(Proxvls round the car, examining it 

closely and with interest.) Where was 

she made ? 

That's an Amurrican made sample, but 

when I have booked enough orders, the 

firm will set up and make them here. 



51 

Gordon. It is ingenius. 

VARLIE. Any suggestion you like to make, sir, I'll 

report to my firm. We are out to supply 
to this country what she requires. It's a 
fresh, growing country with fresh-growing 
needs, and the firm that doesn't try to foist 
off continental models into it, but supplies 
those needs, will get some business. 

Gordon. That is so. 

Varlie. Why, the folk around here don't know 

what it is to spend money. There's a 
power of unconscious demands right here 
waiting the supplies. You need to learn 
how to require luxuries. 

Gordon. {Hotly.) And waste good work making 
things we are happier without ! No ! 
Till this war is settled up, and after it, 
till everyone is fed and clothed decently, 
work must be spent on those jobs, not on 
senseless fripperies which enslave us to 
make some soulless idiot rich ! 

VARLIE. (Strolls towards seat, down left.) Say ! 

Have you got any lemonade ? I'm as dry 
as a fish. {Sits.) 

(Nora and Loveday sit near him.) 

Gordon. Here, Roto, fetch along the drinks ! (Roto 

hurries into the house.) 
1ST Shep. (Hovering near car, to GORDON.) Eh ! 

But it's a fair miracle. Boss ! 
GORDON. (Leaving the car and coming to outskirts 

of group, down left.) Like all miracles, 
it don't seem sure to work. 

(Roto returns, with tray of drinks and tumblers. 
Gordon helps to hand them round.) 

Gordon. (To 1st Shepherd, stretching out with 
a tumbler towards him.) Here you are. 

1st Shep. Thank you, Boss. (Comes up to outskirts 
of group and stands there sipping his 
drink.) 



52 



VARLIE. {Cheerily.) Waal, and how have you 

been making time fly since I was here 
last? 

NORA. Much as usual, only we work harder and 

— (laughs) — Gordon moons more than ever 
now he has someone to encourage him ! 

Varlie. Ah, writes poetry, does he, poor chap ? 

Gordon. No. I don't. 

Nora. Well, what you do is just as useless. 

LOVEDAV. It isn't ! He is working out ideas of great 
practical use — immense — there is nothing 
more important in the world. 

VARLIE. So that's how the land lies ! {Twinkling 

a knowing look at LOVEDAY'S unconscious 
face.) And what is the great idea, if I 
don't intrude ? 

Gordon. It is to make another such war as this 
impossible. 

VARLIE. Oh, ho ! That's a real smart idea, that is ! 

Are you going to do it by preaching to the 
armies, or lovin' 'em like brothers, or how ? 

(Roto and 1st Shepherd guffaw loudly.) 

Gordon. I'm no silly mug of a pacifist. 

Nora. Their idea — 

LOVEDAY. His idea — 

NORA. Well then, as you like — his idea is to have 

only one army in the world. Ha, ha, ha. 
He, he, he ! Isn't that practical ! 

LOVEDAY. Nora, you are a tease ! It's nothing of 
the sort, Mr. Varlie. Gordon's idea is to 
have an international parliament, a super- 
parliament, and for that to have complete 
control of an international army, and also — 
what is very important — complete control 
of all armament making. 

GORDON. Then any nation would have all the rest 
of the world against it directly it tried to 
do anything aggressive, 



53 



Loved ay. 



Varlie. 

Nora. 
Varlie. 



Nora. 
Varlie. 

Loveday. 

Roto. 

1st Shep. 
Loveday. 

Roto. 
Loveday. 



Yes. That's where it will get Germany 
so splendidly. Germany pretends she 
goes in for her militarism only for self- 
preservation. Now this international 
scheme will secure her self-preservation, 
but will entirely destroy her militarism 
and make her aggression impossible ! 
Donnerwetter ! {Confused, trying to 
cover his mistake.) Sake's alive — 
{Pertly.) Are you a German ? 
What do you take me for ? I'm Amurricaff- 
But I've travelled m Germany, like most 
travellers. 

It would be a joke if you were a German, 
wouldn't it ? 

{Cheerfully.) I'd be taking risks, wouldn't 
I ? But let's hear more of this idea. It's 
a great idea if it'll kill German militarism ! 
Why {looking at Gordon), I'd no idea 
you were such a top hole genius. 
Now you're laughing, too. None of you 
seem to think war can be made impossible. 
That it can't, Missy. Not while men are 
men. 

{Agreeing.) That's so, that's so ! 
How can you think that, Roto ? Why, 
there, used to be war in this very land 
between you and the English, and now 
there is none. 

That's because the Pakeha are strong. 
They make laws we have to obey. If a 
Maori kill a Pakeha or a Maori now, the 
Maori is hung by the law. So Maori and 
Pakeha live without killing. 
But that's just it ! If the International 
Parliament was strong and it made laws, 
the nations would have to obey and if one 
nation went to war and tried to kill another, 



54 



1st Shep 



Varlie. 

Gordon. 



Varlie. 
Loveday. 



Gordon. 



Loveday 



Nora. 



Gordon. 

Nora. 

Gordon. 

Nora. 



that nation would suffer. So the nations 
would live without war. 
(Shaking Jus head.) He, he, he ! That's 
likely! (Whistles to the collie and goes 
off.) 

Germany would never consent. 
Then she would openly proclaim that her 
militarism is aggressive and not for self- 
defence. It would have to be one of the 
terms of peace that she did come in. 
Waal, that may not be so easy. 
Then all the more need for Gordon's 
scheme. It is the only way to destroy 
militarism. 

Without some such plan the nations will 
all be burdened beyond endurance, with 
armament making and the upkeep of 
armies. 

And all the lovely face of England will be 
scarred with factories and works, and her 
people go grey and weary under roofs 
instead of singing while they work under 
the blue sky. And not only in England 
but everywhere, machines, machines, 
machines will sap the vitals of men and 
women and make life a grey and sordid 
fear ! 

Aren't they just too absurd for anything, 
those two ! As though it was their business 
to set the world right ! 
Whose is it then ? 
Nobody's. 

It is the business of everyone to make the 
world safer and more beautiful — 
(Putting her fingers in her ears.) Aren't 
they hopeless! (To Varlie.) Come 
along, and I'll show you my bed of English 
roses. You'll like them. 



Varlie. {Rises, throws down a nearly burnt cigar 

and goes with her across stage, standing 
dozen right with her to admire a rose bed 
in bloom.) I guess you're the best rose 
among them all. 

Nora. [Smiles as if pleased.) You have nothing 

to sell me ! 

Varlie. No. But I might have something to give. 

{Meanwhile Gordon limps off after smiling at 
Love day. She picks up a book and begins 
to read.) 

NORA. You never give anything unless you get 

its value back ! 
Varlie. This time it is a free gift I'm thinking of, 

but I don't deny I might get its value 

back ! More than its value perhaps. 
Nora. Well, I'm sure you haven't got anything I 

want as a gift. 
Varlie. Ah, you Angel face. Couldn't you take a 

free gift of a man ? 
Nora. What man ? 

Varlie. Suppose it was myself ! 

Nora. (Meditating.) You are a man. 

Varlie. I am that. Would you take me as a free 

gift ? 
Nora. But what would I do with you ? 

Varlie. Waal — what does a woman do with a 

man ? Sometimes she marries him. 
NORA. Oh ! Well — but that wouldn't be a free 

gift of a man. You would get me in 

exchange. 
Varlie. Didn't I say I might get more than its 

value back for my gift ? 

(Meanwhile Roto is sitting on the ground not 
far from Loveday, finishing Varlie's 
cigar, and playing with a carved jade curio. 
Between the puffs of the cigar, and under 
his breath, heliums snatches of the following 
song : 



56 



[Roto. 



Nora. 
Varlie. 



Nora. 
Varlie. 

Nora. 



Varlie. 
Roto. 
Varlie. 
Roto. 

Varlie. 



Roto. 

Varlie. 

Roto. 



1 [e roa te wa ki Tipirere 

He tino mamao, 
He roa te wa ki Tipirere, 

Ki taku kotiro. 
E noho pikatiri, 

Hei kona rehita koea, 
He mamao rawa Tipirere 

Ka tae ahua.] 
Then that's no bargain for me ! 
Say, you think it over. I've got a mighty 
fine business now, and you could help me 
in it. You could live in the city or run 
about with me or whatever you liked — 
and say, Angel face, I think you are just 
the best ever ! 
You're smart — but — 

(Leans over quickly and kisses her.) Say, 
Angel face, that's a man's kiss, ain't it ? 
Oh ! (Confused, half pleased, half in- 
dignant.) That's not how to treat New 
Zealand girls ! (She runs into house and 
slants the door.) 

(Varlie, satisfied with himself, strolls back 
across stage and stands looking down at 
the green jade curio Roto is cleaning 
carefully. Loved ay continues to read 
near by.) 

Say, Sambo, what's that pretty thing ? 

I'm not a Sambo. 

That's right. I beg yours. 

(Resentfully.) My name's Roto, and I 

thought you knew it, Boss. 

I did, then I didn't, and I do now. Waal, 

Roto, let's get back to the trail. What's 

that ? (Seats himself so that lie can see 

the curio in Roto's hands.) 

That's a hei-tiki. 

A hei-tiki, is it ? Does it tick ? 

Silly joke. Hei-tiki is Maori. 



57 



What for ? 

For this. {Shows greenstone charm round 
his neck.) Same here. 
Let me see. 

No. No one touch but me. It is tapu. 
Tapu ? What does that mean ? 
No one may touch but me. This one is 
tapu, sacred. 
I won't hurt it. 

When tapu put on anything, no one can 
touch unless tapu is raised. 
Waal, and how is the tapu raised ? 
Long ago, only death did — now — oh now, 
in weak men's time — money will raise tapu. 
The almighty dollar ! And how much 
money will raise this tapu ? 
Much, very much. 
Why? 

This very rare, very useful hei-tiki. 
How so ? 

It has death in it, secret, strong death. 
(Loved ay looks up from her reading and 
watches quietly, and with simple curiosity.) 

How? 

Great secret. A very great wise chief 

found how to get secret poison from karaka 

kernels. 

Karaka ? 

Every New Zealand Pakeha knows karaka 

seeds, very bad poison. But kills too 

quick, too ugly, legs all stiff anyhow — all 

know that karaka poison. But this great 

chief took part of karaka seed-poison, mixed 

with magic, and then it kills more slowly 

in one, two hours after, like as if the man 

died of himself. 

And who do you want to kill ? 

Me ? No fellow. All friends. But this 

hei-tiki useful. It has secret poison, no 



58 



That's why 
a pakeha to 



ith 



doctor could tell was poison. 

tapu would cost much for 

touch it. 
VARLIE. I'd like to have it. How much ? 

Roto. Good Maori-stone carved hei-tikij 

secret death. Very much cost. 
VARLIE. Twenty shillings ? 

Roto. Oh, no, no ! Two hundred shillings. 

Varlie. Gosh ! Let me see it. 

Roto. No. 

Varlie. Waal, you can't get my bottom dollar for 

a thing I haven't even seen ! 
Roto. (Holds it carefully in his hands.) Well, 

see. 

(The audience also can see a green jade carving 
of very peculiar shape.) 

Varlie. Where is the poison ? 

Roto. Quite safe. Inside. If top pressed hard, 

pushes bottom on one side, and poison 

drops out. 
Varlie. Is the poison coloured ? 

ROTO. Three or four drops clear like water. One 

drop enough. Try ! And take the poison 

yourself ! 
Varlie. You old scamp. I guess you are not 

friends with me. You'd like me to take 

the poison ! 
ROTO. (Cunningly.) Y'ou're not deep friend to 

our Pakeha, are you ? 
VARLIE. (Laughing noisily.) That's a 

(Looks up and sees LOVEDAY.) 

Loveday, did you hear that ? 

seem to trust me ! 
LOVEDAY. He has queer intuitions sometimes. But 

perhaps he is only afraid of your business 

superiority. 
ROTO. Very cheap, Maori-stone, safe kill, no 

pakeha doctor could tell. 
VARLIE. (Laughing.) He's a nice villain ! 



good one ! 
Say, Miss 
He don't 



59 



LovEDAY. He's all right. If he wanted to use it he 

wouldn't talk about it. 
Varlie. You're smart. Do you believe in it ? Or 

is he just pulling my leg ? 
LovEDAY. I believe in it. Gordon knows about a 

thing like that. I thought he said it was 

the last though. 
Roto. This the verylast. This worth much money. 

Varlie. (Taking out a pocketful of money.) Come. 

I'll have it, to keep you out of mischief. 

Take twenty shillings ? 
Roto. No. 

Varlie. Forty then ? 

Roto. No. 

Varlie. Fifty then ? (Lays out the money 

temptingly.) 
Roto. (Looks eagerly at it, then yields.) Ten 

more. 
VARLIE. Oh, all right! (Lays down money.) 

(Roto takes up the money, and hands the green 
stone to Varlie who looks at it [so that 
audience can see its shape] then slips it into 
his pocket.) 

VARLIE. (Laughing reassuringly and sitting a 

little nearer LOVEDAY.) These queer old 
curios get me every time. I'll test a drop 
of his precious poison on a mangy old dog 
I have, and if it is as he says, I'll wash it 
out and keep eau de cologne in it. The 
jade is a pretty shape. 

LoVEDAY. Yes, it is. And it is quite a good bit of 
jade, too. It is worth money. But do be 
careful with the stuff. I more than half 
believe what he says. 

VARLIE. An old hand like I am at life, don't run no 

risks with a bit of jade. I've seen too 
much of the world. 

LOVEDAY. You have travelled much ? 



(,() 



.Varlie. I should say ! I have run around a bit, 

and got into many a good scrape in my 
time. Why, any day you are lonesome, 
Miss Loveday, ask me for the story of my 
wounds ! 

Loveday. I've been rather lonesome this afternoon. 
How did you get that red triangle on your 
right cheek bone ? I have often wondered. 
It is so regular. 

VARLIE. (Tunis his right cheek so that she can 

see it, points it out and turns again so 
that audience can see the bright red, 
definite small triangle on his cheek.) Ah, 
now that's one of my best stories. I was 
a spry young fellow then. (Looks at her.) 
Now, if you were a smart girl you'd say, 
1 That's not long ago then, Mr. Varlie ! " 

LOVEDAY. (Smiling.) I'll say it if it is a regulation 
part of the story. Is it ? 

VARLIE. Waal, as you are a high and mighty young 

English girl, we'll take it as said. 

(Sounds of footsteps and panting along road — 
1st Shepherd hurries on carrying a 
telegram held out before him.) 

1st Shep. Where's Mr. Gordon ? Oh, where is he ? 
This telegram's for him. 

LOVEDAY. He went round the back of the house not 
long ago. 

1st Shep. Oh, terrible, terrible. That I've to take 
him this telegram. 

Loveday. What is it ? 

1st Shep. Bad news, terrible bad news. The post- 
man, he told me. 

Loveday. (Anxiously.) But tell us. 

1ST Shep. Oh, Missy, how'll ever Mister Gordon take 
it ? Mr. Robert has been killed. 

LOVEDAY. (Sinking back in chair.) Robert killed, 
oh ! poor Gordon ! 

Varlie. Sakes alive, that's a knock out. 



61 



1st SHEP. That's what I say. It had better been the 

other way about. 
Loveday. (Swiftly, in anger.) How can you say 

that ? 
Nora. (Running out of house.) What is the 

fuss ? 
1st Shep. (A little important as being the bearer of 

sad news.) Ah, Missy, it's sad tidings 

there is in this telegram. * Mr. Robert's 

killed. 
NORA. (Screams and staggers. LOVEDAY springs 

up and goes to her.) Robert, Robert ! 

Killed. How do you know ? It must be 

lies. How do you know ? 
1st Shep. Postman told me. This is a Government 

telegram, telling it to ye, official. 
Gordon. (Hurries round the house and comes centre 

forward.) Whatever is the matter ? 

(Roto comes in and learning news from Varlie, 

shows signs of real grief. 
All hesitate to tell Gordon. 1st Shepherd 

holds out telegram.) 

1st Shep.. It's, it's bad news, Mister Gordon. 
Gordon. The telegram is official — it's — is Robert 

wounded ? (Tears open the telegram.) 
Gordon. Killed! (Lets telegram fall, and staggers 

forward to chair, all are silent.) 
Nora. (Crying softly.) Oh Robert, Robert, 

Robert ! 

(Loveday tries to soothe her and is sad also. 
Roto sniffs. The collie dog comes up to 
the group, looking from one to the other, 
then goes to Gordon and rubs against him 
licking his hand. Gordon pats him.) 

Gordon. Good old chap. Yes, he'll never come 
back. Your master is dead — died a hero's 
death. 

Varlie. (Comes up and shakes Gordon's hand.) 

Accept my condolences. 



62 



GORDON. Thanks- -thanks, you're kind. (Pays little 
attention to him } goes over to NORA, who 
is still weeping.) Nora, dear. (He kneels 
beside her.) How sweet of you to care so 
much — he, he'd be proud if he knew. 

NORA. (Fiercely.) He wouldn't! He never 

cared for me. And I loved him — and I 
hate you. Go away ! 

(She pushes him roughly from htr so that, on 
his knees, still, he scarcely keeps his balance. 
She turns and weeps fiercely in Loveday's 
arms. Loveday, soothing her, really 
watcJies and feels for Gordon. As he 
staggers blindly to his feet, she looks with 
infinite tenderness and pity towards him 
and stretches out a hand to steady him. 
He takes it, and clasps it for a moment.) 

Roto. (Wailing,) What'll happen ? What'll happen 
now Mister Robert won't come back ? 

1ST Shep. Eh, eh, dear, dear. 

GORDON. He won't come back ! (He looks up 
suddenly, and seems to gather strength.) 
He won't come back ! He has done his 
job for the Empire ! That frees me ! 
Now I'll do mine! I've nothing to keep 
me here. 

1st Shep. Why ! the sheep do, Boss. 

Gordon. Robert charged ' me to keep the station 
going for him till he came back. Now T 
he'll never come back; I'm done with the 
station ! Other men must raise the sheep. 

LOVEDAY. (Her eyes sparkling.) You'll go to 
London ? 

GORDON. Yes. We have often said I'd have to go 
to London some day to get my job put 
through. 

VARLIE. (Half aside.) The man's mad ! He 

doesn't propose seriously to bring forward 
that devilish scheme of his. (Aloud.) 



63 



What will you clo ? Have you the dollars ? 

It'll take a good deal of money ! 
Gordon. No. All I have is the homestead, and the 

sheep. But I'll sell them. 
Varlie. It's the worst time to sell just now. 

Gordon. I'll lose something of course, but the 

homestead and all is really worth quite ten 

thousand pounds altogether. 
Varlie. Snakes! It's not worth nearly half that. 

1st Shep. Yes it is, Mister. It's a good station. 

None better hereabouts. 
VARLIE. Is it freehold ? 

Gordon. Yes. And unencumbered. 
Varlie. Is it all yours ? 

Gordon. Yes— now \t is. Robert and I shared it. 

He left his will with me — he said his share 

was all for me, as he hadn't got a girl. 
(Nora is seen to shudder as though hurt.) 

Varlie. Then you can sell at once. 

Gordon. I shall. 

1st Shep. Don't 'e, Mister Gordon, don't 'e. You'll 

best wait. Land's not sellin' just now. 

Wait a bit. 
GORDON. But my work won't wait! I shan't. 

LoVEDAY. Splendid ! Go. 
GORDON. Y'ou say so ? You back me ? 
LOVEDAY. Y*es. Yes. 
Gordon. Well, I have one on my side. 
Varlie. It's a fool business. 

Gordon. I must sell at once. Perhaps neighbour 

Lee might like to join this station on to his. 
Nora. (Looking up fiercely.) My dad ? I won't 

let him. I won't ! 
Varlie. Y'ou'll not get a purchaser at present. 

Roto. That's true, Boss. No one is buying land 

just now. 
Gordon. (Turning away.) Well, I must sell for 

else I have no money to go to Europe 

with and I will go. It will be a very 



64 






expensive job. Propaganda costs. I must 

put my scheme before the Prime Minister 

of England, and it's no good to write to 

him. I must see him, I must talk to him. 
VARLIE. Has he a good opinion of you ? 

GORDON. He doesn't know me yet. 
NORA. (Scolding.) How do you think that you, 

an absolutely unknown Colonial with a 

hair-brained scheme, are going to get at 

him ? 
GORDON. I'll manage it somehow. 
Varlie. London is not like Dunedin, I opine. Do 

you know anyone in London who knows 

the Prime Minister ? 
Gordon. No. But I'll get to. 
Nora. Do you know a single living soul in 

London ? 
Gordon. No. But I will when I get there. 
LOVEDAY. He will. I'll see to that ! 
NORA. (Spitefully.) Oh ! Do you know people 

who know the Prime Minister of England ? 
LOVEDAY. (Quietly.) I do. 
NORA. (Taken aback.) Oh ! Who ? 

LOVEDAY. The Duchess of Rainshire. 
Varlie. (Very alert, evidently taking note of the 

name.) Does she know the Prime Minister 

intimately ? 
LoVEDAY. Yes. He often comes to see her. 
GORDON. (Triumph fully.) Splendid ! You never 

told me that, Loveday, when you said I 
should have to go and see him somehow. 
LOVEDAY. (Smiling.) I had it up my sleeve though. 

There was no need to speak of it so long 
as you were not going. Now (sadly) you 
can think only of this work. I'll be proud 
to help in it. It is worth doing. 
GORDON. With Robert's example before me — I'll do 

it, or die. 
Loveday. You'll do it. 



65 



GORDON. But it may take a long time, and I must 
have money, plenty of money too. I must 
sell the station at once. 
VARLIE. (Drawling.) I've put my thinking cap on. 

A business connection of my firm is looking 
out for freehold in this country. If this is 
freehold, I reckon I'd be safe to get my 
money back from him if I bought it myself. 
Gordon. You ! 

Varlie. Yaas. I've got plenty of free cash when 

it's wanted, you know. Business hasn't 

been bad lately, and — waal. I'll lay down 

for this freehold of yours. 
GORDON. Good. That'll save ever so much time I 

might waste in looking for a buyer. 
Varlie. Let's strike then. 

Gordon. It is worth ten thousand pounds. 
Varlie. Shucks ! 

Gordon. But I'll take less. 
Varlie. Waal ? 

Gordon. Say seven thousand — for money down. 
VARLIE. (Laughing derisively.) What do you 

take me for ? 
Gordon. It is really worth that, why the sheep 

alone — 
Varlie. Sell your sheep separately then. I ain't 

buying sheep, I'm buying land. 
1ST SHEP. But you can't do nothin' with this land 

without sheep, Boss. 
Roto. It's worth more than seven thousand 

pounds, that's a bargain price, Boss. 
Varlie. Sell elsewhere then. 

Roto. Do, Mister Gordon. Next month a Pakeha 

I know is coming to the city. He thinkin' 

of a station like this. I fetch him along, 

Mister Gordon. 
Gordon. Next month ! I want to be half way to 

England next month. 



66 



VARLIE. (Lighting a cigar.) I'll give you four 

thousand live hundred for it — 
GORDON. That's too little to discuss. 
1ST Shep. That's robbery, Boss, don't take it. After 

the war it'll fetch three times that. After 

the war — 
Gordon. After the war will be too late for me. 

The international super-parliament must 

be considered in the terms of peace. 
1ST Shep. (Groans.) Them ideas! You'd let the 

sheep rot for ideas ! 
VARLIE. I'll give you four thousand five hundred 

for it, down to-day. 
Gordon. To-day ! 
VARLIE. Right now. We'll ride info the city and 

get a notary to fix it up all square. 
GORDON. That's better than waiting for an uncertain 

buyer— but it's very little — 
VARLIE. But it's here, to-day. 

GORDON. To-day. Well, I'll take it ! 
Yarlie. Done. A deal. Shake. 

(Roto and the Shepherd mutter, and shake 
their heads.) 

NORA. You're a perfect/ooZ, Gordon ! You throw 

away more than half your fortune so as to 
be able to rush off to England with a crack- 
brained scheme ! Why not write to the 
papers instead ? r 

GORDON. (Looks helpless, says appealingly.) Oh, 

Nora ! 

VARLIE. A lot of energy is let off safely in gas to 

the papers. Hyde is bottlin' his energy up 
it seems. That makes him dangerous, eh ? 

GORDON. (To Loveday.) You'll give me a letter 
of introduction ? 

LOVEDAY. (Smiling sweetly.) No. I won't. 

YARLIE. Gee. Even she thinks you are going off 

the rails. 

Gordon. Loveday, you said you would give me 
a letter of introduction ! 



67 



LOVEDAY. How many introductory letters do you 
suppose the Duchess of Rainshire gets ? 
A letter would do you very little good. 

GORDON. (Crestfallen.) Oh, Loveday, what do you 
mean ? 

LOVEDAY. Why ! (Taking a step towards him, 
radiant, in the centre of stage.) I'm not 
going to trust to letters, which people can 
put in the waste-paper basket ! 

Gordon. But, what do you mean, Loveday ? 

Loveday. Ill come with you myself! I'll wait on 
their doorsteps (I know lots of people in 
London), I'll waylay them at parties, 
and seize the very best opportunities for 
getting the right people to know you. 

Gordon. You will ? You are a brick ! How 
splendid ! 

VARLIE. (Somewhat disturbed, aside.) Ach ! The 

English are mad enough for anything. 
Gott sei dank I know of this ! (Aloud.) 
What about Mrs. Grundy ? 

Nora. Yes. A pretty pair you will look. What 

will people say ? 

LOVEDAY. When the whole world's future is at stake, 
do you think I care what people say ? 

VARLIE. Who was it said the English are all mad ? 

He was right. 

Gordon. It is too much, Loveday ! 

Nora. You are English. You will make me agree 

with Mr. Varlie's opinion of your country's 
sanity. 

LOVEDAY. British women are free from the need to care 
what foolish people think! (Turning to 
Gordon.) We will go to London, Gordon, 
and there I'll work for you and your great 
idea, for all I'm worth ! 
(Gordon takes a step toivards her, his face, 
shining with enthusiasm.) 

Curtain, 



68 



Act III. 

About a Couple of mouths later than Act II. 

The Duchess of Rainshire's drawing-room, 
London. The fore-part of the stage repre- 
sents an alcove of the big drawing-room ; 
the back of the stage opens out so as to 
suggest a large room beyond. Heavy 
curtains hang on cither side of back of 
alcove. Left second entrance, a door 
leading direct from alcove to outer hall. 
Left front, up against wall and projecting 
into room, a grand piano, closed. Right 
front, a large Chesterfield placed at con- 
venient angle. One or two small chairs, 
big pictures, a palm or two, etc., as in a 
first class house. 

The Duchess of Rainshire, Loveday and 
Gordon discovered in the foreground. 
Back of stage occasional guests pass to and 
fro in the big drawing-room, and faint 
sounds of music in the distance are heard. 

The Duchess is a middle-aged, smart woman 
of the world, with a commanding manner 
and quick way of speaking, but kindly. 

Gordon. (Standing, speaking earnestly declaiming 

as though concluding a long argument.) 
I fear I have bored you, there is so much 
to say, but perhaps the, chief point is that 
there shall not only be international law, 
but adequate force behind that law to 
enforce it. 

Duchess. (Stifling a yawn.) Well, Mr. Hyde, I'm 
sure I wish you the success you deserve, 
and not what I fear you are likely to get. 
London simply swarms with panaceas and 
their parents. 

Loveday. (Appealing.) But they haven't all got 
you to help them ! 



69 



Duchess. Oh yes, most of them have I But merci- 
fully the schemes counteract each other on 
the whole, or where should / be ? 

LOVEDAY. You must not allow any filing to counteract 
this. 

Duchess. (To Mr. Hyde.) Well, young man, 
remember ! It's neither for yourself nor 
for your ideas I'm launching you on the 
defenceless man at the helm, but simply 
because Loveday used to have fascinating 
freckles on her nose when she was six 
years old. 

GORDON. I know I owe her an awful lot. And you 

too. I'm ever so grateful, I can't say how 
grateful. Posterity will — 

Duchess. (Interrupting.) You are going to say that 
I'll go down to history as the patron of 
genius, of course— I'm glad to hear it. It 
may help to counteract the other way I 
shall go down to history. No one who has 
had two successive husbands, both Dukes, 
could fail to find posterity as critical as 
the present generation is spiteful. 
(Gordon looks bewildered.) 

Loveday. Don't believe her, Gordon. Everybody's 

awfully fond of her. 

Duchess. Go and think that over somewhere by 

yourself, young man. I haven't seen 

Loveday since her escapade into Greater 

Britain and I want to hear from her how 

this little island looks in true prospective. 

(Gordon bows and goes toward back of stage 

and mingles with other quests, strolling out 

of sight. Meanwhile a guest or tivo stroll 

partly round the alcove, but seeing the 

Duchess talking, ret ire.) 

Duchess. (Taking Loveday'S arm and pushing her 
down on to sofa, sits beside her.) Now, 
Miss, your confessions. 



70 



LOVEDAY. \r He is really wonderful. 

Duchess. Though New Zealand is British my 
experience of home Britons tells me it is 
not peopled by geniuses. He is exceptional. 
Naturally. 

Loveday. Not at ail naturally. 

Duchess. Hoity-toity. — I'm not old enough to say 
that properly, but it is so effective, I'm 
beginning young, so as to get enough 
practice before my public use of it. So — 
hoity-toity ! 

(Loveday smiles, says nothing.) 

DUCHESS. What's wrong, don't I say it properly ? 

It ought to elicit some retort from you 

which should reveal your secret more 

completely than ever. 
Loveday. I haven't got a secret. 
DUCHESS. Hoity-toity ! — I think I did it rather better 

that time — 
LOVEDAY. (Earnestly.) I haven't a secret really ! 
Duchess. I must have done it better : you retorted, 

telling me that you have a secret. 
LOVEDAY. (Laughing.) I haven't, really and truly I 

haven't. 
DUCHESS. Hoit — no. I'll vary it. Fiddlesticks ! 

Who is it ? 
Loveday. Who is what ? 
Duchess. Whom are you in love with ? 
Loveday. Nobody. 
Duchess. Is he in love with you ? 
LOVEDAY. Who? Nobody? Yes. Nobody is iri 

love with me. 
Duchess. He. (Points with her fan through open- 
ing of alcove.) Your New Zealand Genius. 
LOVEDAY. (A shade despondently, but unconscious 

of it.) No, he is not. 
DUCHESS. (Pouncing.) Ha ! that's it, is it ? 
Loveday. That's what ? Oh, dear ! Why is it I 



71 



always talk such bad English when I arn 
with you ? 

Duchess. Tush. Tell me about him ! 

LOVEDAY. {Brightening.) Oh, how nice of you. I 
did so want you to take an interest in his 
ideas. They are so wonderful. They 
will make — 

Duchess. I don't care one Jellicoed submarine about 
his ideas. Tell me about himself. 

Loveday. He is a little lame, poor boy — 

Duchess. So I have observed. 

LOVEDAY. But it isn't fundamental. He got a stake 
through his thigh when he was a lad and 
it healed badly. It must have been 
dreadful for him. 

DUCHESS. Are you going to marry him ? 

LOVEDAY. Oh, how can you say such things ? It has 
never entered his head ! 

Duchess. Hoity-toity. 

Loveday. Oh, it hasn't ! 

DUCHESS. Well, here is a personable young man for 
whom you feel pity, and you are twenty- 
seven to his thirty. I only ask, are you 
going to marry him ? 

LOVEDAY. (Rising indignantly.) How can you say 
such things. I never thought of it ! Why 
he — he loves someone else ! 

Duchess. Oh, that's the trouble, is it ? Where is 
she ? 

Loveday. In New Zealand. 

DUCHESS. (Patting LOVEDAY'S hand.) Then that's 
all right, my dear. You can have him if 
you want. 

LOVEDAY. But I don't want, that way. — Oh, I don't 
want any way ! Oh, why do you have 
such dreadful conversations ? 

DUCHESS. That's it. Quarrel with your benefactor ! 
Are you going to flounce out of the house 
before the Prime Minister comes ? 



12 



LOVEDAY 



Duchess. 



LOVEDAY 



Duchess. 
Loved ay. 



Duchess. 

LOVEDAY. 

Duchess. 

Loveday. 
Duchess. 



Loveday. 
Duchess. 



Loveday. 
Duchess. 

Loveday. 
Duchess. 



I can't now — but I'm not going to take 
anything back because you promised to 
help us. 

(Laughing delightedly and pulling LOVE- 
DAY down again beside her.) Oh, so it 
is us ? 

Only for this piece of work, till his idea is 
launched, of course. What do you suppose 
I came across from New Zealand for ? 
(Chuckling.) I wondered. 
Don't you care a bit for a big idea that 
will help the world ? Can't you imagine 
a woman gladly crossing the world to have 
even a .small share in helping it forward ? 
I could imagine it ; but I have never yet 
observed it. 

Well, you can now. Look at me. 
I do, my child, and I see a young woman 
in love. 

(Shaking herself.) Ooh ! 
Never mind, my dear. He is a personable 
young man enough. There are no available 
Dukes, Earls or Marquises I can recom- 
mend at present and I believe in people 
marrying for love. I have seen too much 
of the other thing. So what can I do for 
you ? 

You know quite well. I only asked you, 
begged you, to make the Prime Minister 
listen to him. 

Oh, the poor man ! When he comes here 
for an hour it is for relaxation and quiet. 
He looks to me to protect him from 
Cranks, not to stuft them down his throat. 
(Emphatically.) Gordon is not a crank. 
All cranks have emphatic relatives who 
testify ardently to their sanity. 
I'm not his relative. 
Hoity-toity. 



73 



LOVEDAY. (Smiling.) That doesn't react with me 
any longer. (Coaxing.) Come now, be 
an angel and introduce Gordon to the 
Prime Minister. Don't say anything 
about your suspicions that he is a crank. 
Just say he is a nice young man from 
New Zealand. 

Duchess. And what am I to say about you ? Or are 
you dying to be sacrificed on the altar of 
friendship and have nothing said about 
you ? 

LOVEDAY. Oh, yes. 

DUCHESS. You don't insist on an introduction too ? 

LOVEDAY. No. I ask only one introduction. Promise 
that. 

Duchess. Very well. 

LOVEDAY. You darling ! 

DUCHESS. But I will use the introduction for you, 
not the man. The Prime Minister likes 
young girls if they are at all good looking, 
and I think one may call you that. 

LOVEDAY. Oh, you mustn't! I won't be introduced. 

DUCHESS. What ! You refuse to be introduced to 
the Prime Minister ? 

LOVEDAY. (Punching a cushion.) I do. I do 

absolutely. That one introduction is for 

Gordon. You promised one ; and Gordon 

is to have it. 

(The Rev. Dr. Varlie, separating himself 

from tlie guests, has strolled into the alcove.) 

Duchess. Well, I suppose it must be. 

Loveday. You are a dear. 

Duchess. But for your purpose, it is not the Prime 
Minister you want first of all. There is 
another Cabinet Minister whose word in 
the Prime Minister's ear would be priceless. 

LOVEDAY. Oh ! Then please introduce Gordon to 
him first ! 

Duchess. He's very amiable. 



LOVEDAV. 

Duchess. 



Loveday 



DUCHESS. 

Varlie. 



Duchess. 
Varlie. 



Duchess. 

Varlie. 



Duchesi 



Splendid. Is he here to-night ? 

Yes. Go and fetch your phenomenon. If 

you two are to be found here when wanted. 

I'll either send for you or stroll this way 

with him if I can. 

Thanks awfully ! {Goes through curtains, 

to drawing-room beyond.) 

(The Rev. Dr. Varlie advances. He has a 
considerable beard, and wears clerical garb. 
He politely presents himself to the Duchess. 
She greets him without enthusiasm.) 

Oh, Dr. Chapman, I'm glad you found 
time to come for a little relaxation. 
Oh, dear lady. I take no relaxation in 
these sad times. But I wanted a word 
with you before your next Committee for 
the relief of the homeless Serbians. As 
you know, the American people have been 
stirred to the depths, and out of the fulness 
of their hearts they have sent me to join 
my ministrations with yours. As you well 
know, these weeks past I have put my 
back into it. 

Very good of you I'm sure. We can't 
have too much help. Practical help. 
At the last Committee Meeting I opined 
that a cheque would not be out of place in 
your hands, Duchess. 
Never, 

{Taking out his pocket book.) Waal, my 
flock answered my prayers, and sent this 
to me for you. If you could sign the 
receipt yourself, Duchess, it would be like 
placing seed in fertile ground. I know 
your secretary does such routine work for 
you, Duchess, and that's why I took this 
chance of handing it to you myself. 
Of course I'll sign the receipt if you like. 
Is that all ? 



75 



Varlie. 

Duchess. 

Varlie. 

LOVEDAY. 

Gordon. 

Love day. 

Gordon. 
Love day. 



Gordon. 
Loveday 



Gordon. 
Loveday. 

Gordon. 



Waal, the other business will do when We 
meet at the next Committee. 
(Moving off, back of stage.) Then come 
along with me, and I'll find you an 
interesting girl or two to entertain you. 
You just missed one as you came in. 
So I divined from her earnestness. A 
luovely type. 

(They go out together. In a moment Loveday 
and Gordon return.) 

So we are to sit here till she comes or 
sends for you. 

(Gratefully.) I say. You do work 
miracles. 

It is the Duchess who will do that. Isn't 
she a dear ? 

She terrifies me rather. 
For moments, just at times, she terrifies 
me. But all the safe times in between I 
know she is a dear. 
I say, I'm nervous you know. 
Oh, don't be ! You will only have a few 
minutes this time : just to make a good 
impression. If you do that then the 
Minister may give you a serious interview 
laler. 

I'm wretchedly nervous. Is he, is he 
short with people ? 

He likes people to be short with him ! He 
is dreadfully bored by long-winded cranks 
of course. 

I say, what do you think ? {Pulls out 
some papers from his pocket.) I thought 
of wording Clause 29 of the suggested 
constitution as follows : " The Super- 
Parliament is to have the power of pro- 
hibiting the manufacture of anything 
which in its opinion constitutes a menace 
to the Peace of the world : with power to 



76 



inflict the death penalty on all concerned 
in any infringement of its prohibition in 
any country." 

LOVEDAY. Yes. I think that is good. Coupled with 
the other clauses that makes it safer. 

GORDON. I hope the Prime Minister will see that. 
I must learn this clause off by heart now. 
Teach it to me, will you ? 

LOVEDAY. You don't know the other clauses off by 
heart, do you ? 

GORDON. Yes, of course I learnt them. I couldn't 
read them to the Prime Minister, could I ? 
And I'm so nervous, I'd muddle them up 
unless I just learn them off. 

LOVEDAY. (Horrified.) You don't intend to say off 
all the thirty-three clauses of the suggested 
constitution to the Prime Minister at this 
first meeting, do you ? 

GORDON. (Simply sin prised.) Why, yes ! I'm to 
tell him the ideas, aren't I ? 

LOVEDAY. Good [heavens ! not in a block like that 
though. After you have made an impres- 
sion on him you must give him these 
all typed out so that his secretaries 
and colleagues and everybody can make 
marginal notes on them and hash them up. 

Gordon. If I'm not to say the clauses I have learnt, 
what on earth ani I to say ? 

LOVEDAY. Say you have an idea worth his serious 
attention — say— oh — whatever he makes 
you feel will reach his attention ! 

Gordon. Good heavens. What a gamble ! 

Loveday. Not a bit. The inspiration will come. 

GORDON. You have been my inspiration for so much 

of this. 

Loveday. No, no. I have only suggested a word 
here and there. 

GORDON. I owe you so much. How strange it is I 
should have met you the same day that 



77 



the vision came to me. Next to my 

vision-spirit, you are the source of all the 

ideas worth anything in it. 
LOVEDAY. Nonsense. Absolute nonsense. I simply 

had nothing concrete in my mind at first ! 

It is you, you, you who have put all the 

ideas into practical, living, useful shape. 
Gordon. But / had no concrete ideas at first ! 
LOVEDAY. Well, yon evolved them out of your inner 

consciousness. 
Gordon. {Obstinately.) The vision, and you, gave 

me the ideas to work out. 
LOVEDAY. (Almost irritably.) It's sheer nonsense, 

that old vision ! The thoughts were yours, 

yours, yours ! She only mumbled a little 

vague tosh ! 
Gordon. (Astonished.) Loveday ! 
LOVEDAY. Well, I'm tired of seeing you being so 

humble, and failing to realise how splendid 

you are, and how the credit of it is all 

your own. 
GORDON. Loveday. — You don't really think that ? 
Loveday. I do. 
Gordon. (Whimsically.) I'm so accustomed to 

women thinking poorly of me — Nora — 
LOVEDAY. (After a pause.) Does she — does she still 

hurt you, Gordon ? 
GORDON. No I have waked from my foolish dream 

of love for her. She, she was too cruel — 

and besides — she, you know, you heard — 

she loved Robert. 
LOVEDAY. (Joy showing in her face, which she tries 

to conceal.) Then you feel free. 
GORDON. Yes. Thanlc God I'm free from love of 

any earthly woman. 

(Loveday's face falls.) 

Gordon. Yon make most women look small, and 
then — then — anyway, I'm not the type of 
man such a woman as I could love now, 



78 



LOVEDAY. 

Gordon. 
Loveday. 



Gordon. 



Minister. 



Duchess. 
Minister. 



would look at. Thank God, no mortal 
woman can rack my heart. My vision 
Queen has my heart and my dreams. 

(Loveda\ looks bright — tlun a little mischievous. 
Vaklie returns, strolling round the room, 
unnoticed by them. He starts somewhat at 
seeing them talki>ig together so deeply and 
nods as if recognising something and saying 
" ha ha " to himself. He studies the angle 
of the room and places himself back of the 
piano, turning towards the wall ami 
pretending to examine a picture. Mean- 
while Loveday and Gordon continue, 
unaware, to talk.) 

Spirits don't appear. She must have been 
a real woman. 
Impossible. 

But a spirit is more impossible! (trium- 
phantly). So you see, every single bit of 
credit for it is yours. 
Yours. 

(Both laughing say together "yours") 
(From back of stage, enter Cabinet Minister 
with the Duchess. The Minister is 

old, benign and white haired, with a long 
white beard. A plain clothes d elect ivs 
[Smithers] in evening dress follows him 
at a little distance and hovsrs near the 
curtains at the back.) 

Ah ! I remembered that this alcove is 
generally nice and quiet. You are a good 
hostess, my dear. 

(The Duchess throws a comical look at the 
back of the sofa wJiere Gordon and 
Loveday are sitting.) 

I'm glad you think so ! It isn't easy to 
satisfy different people at the same time. 
All I ask is a quiet cup of coffee with you, 
my dear. Can we have some coffee here, 
by the way ? 



79 

Duchess. Of course. (Slips quickly to wall and 
rings.) It will be here directly. 

MINISTER. And your coffee is good. Ah, it reminds 
me of Paris in the late seventies — when I 
was a young man. But you didn't know 
Paris in the late seventies I expect ? No, 
no, of course not. 

(Maid in smart uniform, waistcoat, brass 
buttons, enters from entrance right, going 
quickly up to the Duchess, who whispers 
" coffee at once, here:' Maid goes out.) 

Minister. Paris in the seventies was an adventure. 
Duchess. Any city is an adventure to the right man. 

(Maid enters with coffee, Minister helps him- 
self to sugar and cream, stands centre 
of stage holding it in his hand.) 

Minister. That's true. You are a witty woman, my 
dear. And that's a thing not often come 
by now-a-days. 

Duchess. Modern women are all clever, and clever- 
ness kills wit as a magnifying glass kills a 
complexion. 

Minister. Good, good. 

(Loveday and Gordon, observing their near- 
ness, rise and stand a little way off. The 
Duchess signals imperiously to Loveday, 
but she makes a determined grimace and 
slips round the left side of the sofa. As 
she leaves Gordon she whispers "The 
great moment is coming — Good Luck:' 
Gordon stands hesitating. The Duchess 
signs to him to come forward.) 

Duchess. Ah, here is the young man of whom I 
spoke to you. May I introduce Mr. Hyde ? 
You said you could endure a chat with him. 
He wants your influence with the Prime 
Minister you know. I tell him you are 
even more important, 



80 



Minister. Flatterer ! 

(Loveday behind the group waves her hand 
joyously. Hyde looks relieved and very 
pleased.) 

Duchess. The power behind the throne, Mr. Hyde. 
Minister. (Kindly.) Ah, how do you do, Mr. Hyde. 

(Shakes hands after carefully turning and 
laying down his coffee cup on the corner of 
the piano behind him, placing the cup so 
that it is on the audience side of the piano. 
Varlie, who is still standing with his back 
to the group, looking at the picture above 
the piano, notes this quickly and keenly. 
He is seen by the audience to be listening 
intently.) 

Minister. How do you do. You come from Australia 
I believe ? 

Gordon. New Zealand, Sir. 

Minister. New Zealand, yes, yes. A thousand miles 
by sea from the nearest port in Australia. 

Gordon. Yes, Sir. 

Minister. I remember that because I was there 
myself when I was a young man and very 
much it surprised me to be sure. I had 
always pictured New Zealand as being to 
Australia like England to the Continent. 
Yes, yes. A thousand miles away. Just 
think what a difference it would make, if 
England were a thousand miles from 
France at this present moment. 

GORDON. Yes indeed, Sir. 

Minister. So it is very fine of you young New 
Zealanders to join in with us all the way 
you do. Very fine. 

(Loveday crosses to right of stage and looks 
curiously at Varlie but without recogni- 
tion.) 

Gordon. We are Britons all, Sir, 



81 



Minister. Yes, yes. We are all fighting shoulder to 
shoulder, though I expect the realisation 
of it has hardly touched you yet. 

GORDON. My only brother was killed a few weeks 
ago in Gallipoli, Sir. 

Minister. Dear, dear. A sad business that. I'm 
sorry for that, my lad. 

GORDON. (Beginning to be desperate.) And that is 
one reason why, Sir, I am so anxious to ask 
your help for my scheme of international — 

(Varlie meanwhile has very quietly slipped 
round so as to be on the front of the piano, 
within reach of coffee cup.) 

MINISTER. (Putting up his hand and gently inter- 
rupting.) Now don't talk about schemes, 
young man. This is my recreation hour. 
Seeing you carries me back to when I was 
a young chap myself. My father was one 
of the old school and sent me round the 
world to finish my education. 

(Varlie's right cheek now faces Loveday, she 
gazes at it, starts with amazed half recogni- 
tion, for the top half of the scar is visible.) 

Minister. I remember very well going to New 
Zealand — and seeing its pink and white 
terraces. Ah ! They were wonderful, 
wonderful. 

Gordon. They must have been, Sir (his heart 
beginning to sink into his boots). 

Minister. Yes, of course. They were destroyed 
before you could have seen them. A 
terrible volcanic outburst that ! Incredible. 
Why those great pink and white terraces 
looked as though no, power on earth could 
destroy them. So beautiful they were too ! 
So beautiful. Like coloured marble that 
had been spun into lace cascades by 



82 



magicians. Well, well, sic transit gloria 
mundi ( (He shakes Gordon's hand.) 
I'm glad to have had this little talk with 
you, Mr. Hyde. These pleasant meetings 
help to link up the Empire. Good-bye. 
Good Luck. 

(Meanwhile, through the last part of this 
conversation, Varlie lias taken out the 
Green Jade Carving, seen in Act II., from 
his pocket. Loveday recognises it and 
shows tense anxiety and suppressed excite- 
ment. Varlie glances stealthily round xhe 
room, and sees that no one is looking at 
him, for Loved ay pretends not to see him ; 
she then turns Iter head just in time to see 
him drop a drop of the poison into the 
coffee cup on the piano, and quickly to turn 
aivay, his back to the group, and go to 
another picture, hanging down right front 
of the piano. Varlie calmly pretends to 
he absorbed in examining the picture. 
Loveday is for a moment weak with 
amazement and anxiety, and is evidently 
hesitating as to what course to follow ', by 
the time the Minister says, ''Good-bye, 
good luck.'') 



GORDON. Good-bye, Sir, thank you. (Desperate.) 
And may I come and see you in office 
hours about my scheme ? It is very 
important, it — is a series of clauses for an 
international arrangement which will wipe 
German Militarism and all other militarism 
off the earth — it— 

MINISTER. If you must send it — and I really ask you 
not to, I am deluged with other people's 
ideas — if you must send it, my secretary 
will attend to it. Good-bye. 

(Gordon steps back very dejected. The 
Minister turns, takes up Iiis coffee cup ami 
says a word to the Duches.s.) 



S3 

MINISTER. And now for our chat, my dear. 

(He raises the coffee cup, about to drink slowly. 
Loveday springs forward and dashes the 
cup from his hand, spilling the coffee. 
[Note. — Better have a brown carpet so 
that the successive stains of a long run 
won't show.] The Duchess and Minister 
look amazed.) 

Loveday. {Panting but quietly.) That man, that 
man there ! 

(Points at Varlie, who is now in the corner 
between the footlights, the piano, and the 
Minister's group. Very unostentatiously 
he digs the jade piece into the earth of pot 
and has barely covered it by this time.) 

Hold him, Gordon, hold him. 
(Gordon literally hurls himself on Varlie 
and, before he has time to turn, has his two 
arms pinned from behind. The two men 
struggle. The Minister looks bewildered. 
Hearing the struggle the evening-dress-clad 
detective near the curtains comes fonvard 
hurriedly and helps Gordon. They 
succeed in holding Varlie.) 

Duchess. For God's sake don't have a scene in 
public. 

(She runs across room and rings repeatedly. 
Maid comes in by door right.) 

Duchess. (To Maid.) Draw those curtains instantly 
and stand by them. Don't let anyone 
in, not anyone unless I tell you. 

(The Maid hurries to obey and draws the heavy 
velvet curtains, shutting off the alcove from 
the main drawing room and stations 
herself by them.) 

MINISTER. Dear, dear, what is this all about ! Why 
it is a clergyman ! isn't it ? What on 
earth are they handling a clergyman in this 
fashion for ? Why, Smithers man, you 
are to guard me, not to assist a young 
ruffian in mauling a reverend gentleman, 



SMITHERS. {Puzzled, half relaxing hold on Varlie) 
I'm sure, Sir, I don't know 

LOVEDAY. Don't, don't leave him ! For God's sake 
hold him. 

DUCHESS. What on earth is this outrageous fracas 
about? Loveday, I'm amazed! The 
Rev. Dr. Chapman is an American whom 
I know and respect. Let him go at once, 
Smithers. And you, Mr. Hyde, you 
outrageous humbug ! 

Loveday. Don't! {She goes quickly up to V arlie, 
pulls his heard with one hand, and it 
conies off.) 

(Amazement and consternation of all.) 

LOVEDAY. Yes, I thought so! Look, Gordon, see 
that scar on his cheek, that little triangular 
red scar ! But anyway you must know 
his face now, it is VARLIE ! 

YaRLIE. How the devil — What does all this mean ! 

You attack the Minister of Peace! I am 
the Rev. Dr. Chapman, as you well know, 
Duchess. If I choose to wear a false 
beard till my own grows because 1 desire 
to follow John the Baptist's example, 
though alas late in life, is that any crime ? 
Why don't you go round among your 
guests and arrest the ladies with false hair. 
They intend to attract and deceive while I 
but symbolise my belief in the Nazarene 
vows. # 

(He scans to he making an impression on the 
Duchess and the Minister.) 

Loveday. No! Hold him, he's dangerous. Hold 

him till I can tell you all ! 
Gordon. Sure, Loveday, VII hold him, even if Mr. 

Smithers won't. 
LoVKDAY. Oh, but you both must. Listen. The 

reason I spilt the coffee was that he had 

put poison in it ! 



85 



Minister. 
Duchess. 
Loveday. 



Minister. 
Duchess. 

Loveday. 

Varlie- 

Chapman. 

Loveday. 



Varlie- 
Chapman 



Loveday. 



Duchess. 
Minister. 
Smithers. 



{incredulous.) Poison ? Poison i 

Yes, poison. A deadly, secret poison, 
made from the karaka nut. It would 
never have been detected, never ! A few 
hours later you would just have had a 
stroke and died ! Of course he knows 
how dreadfully important you are. 
Bless my soul. Are you raving or am I 
dreaming, young lady. How do you know 
this — this amazing thing ? Fiddlesticks — 
tush — but, good God. 
I saw him do it. 

(Putting on a superior air.) Can you 
really even listen to such an absurd 
charge against one of my cloth ? 
I can prove it. You will find on him a 
green carved jade hei-tiki, it has a secret 
recess in w r hich the poison was. It must 
be on him. He couldn't swallow it, it's 
too big. Search him ! 

(Calmly.) Search me, officer — if you are 
an officer — to satisfy the hysterical young 
lady and settle this absurd business once 
and for all. 

Don't trust him. Have another man in to 
help. 1 charge him with attempted 
murder you know, murder of the most 
important Cabinet Minister. 
Oh, Loveday, this is too awful (She sits.) 
I feel a bit shaken, perhaps I may sit too. 
This is serious you know. It had better 
be looked into if you'll excuse me, sir. I 
have some of my men outside. If you 
would ring three times quickly, and then 
twice more, my men will come in. 
(Loveday rushes to the bell and does so.) 
Thank you, Miss. 



86 



Varlie. 



Smithers. 
Duchess. 

Loveday. 

Minister. 

Duchess. 

Minister. 

Duchess. 



Waal, if this isn't high comedy! But 
most unseemly ! And to think that it is 
in your house, Duchess, that I should be 
served up with this nice little surprise 
party. 

(Enter two stalwart plain clutlics men from 
door on right.) 

Hold this gentleman firmly while we search 
his pockets. Excuse me, sir, but I think I 
ought to satisfy myself. 
I'm terribly distressed. I don't know 
what to think, I have known Loveday 
since she was six and had freckles on her 
nose, and she has never been hysterical. 
(Quietly.) I'm not hysterical now there 
are two such nice strong men to hold Mr. 
Varlie. 

{Pathetically.) Could I have some coffee 
do you think, my dear ? I was really 

needing it before 

Of course. This awful fracas must have 
exhausted you. 

(SJiaking his finger playfully at her.) 
No fancy cakes now ! 

There are none in my house, not even to- 
night. I may not be clever, but I can see 
the obvious as wellas most people, and it is 
glaringly obvious that anyone whose hands 
are steady enough to decorate foodstuffs can 
handle tools of more use to the country. 
(To Maid by curtains.) Go and fetch 
some hot coffee at once. I will stay by 
the curtains while you are gone. Don't 
say one word to anyone, mind ! 

(She goes out quickly through door rigid. 
Meanwhile Smithers systematically 
searches all Varlie's pockets. He finds a 
revolver, which he lavs out with an accusing 

look.) 



87' 



Smithers. 
Varlie. 



Minister. 

Duchess. 
Varlie. 



Smithers. 

Varlie. 

Minister. 

Varlie. 



That don't look like a clergyman, sir ! 
All Americans have those little pets on 
them. In the backwoods I have had to 
have it cocked on to my congregation so as 
to hold their attention ! 

(Meanwhile Loveday is quite quietly and 
unobtrusively looking round the corner, 
front right, where Varlie had been 
standing before his arrest. The _ coffee 
comes in, the Minister drinks it, the 
Duchess returns from the curtains and 
the Maid takes up her place there again.) 

This is very painful, my dear, very painful. 
I'm sure I don't know what to think. 
We must wait and see. 
Waal, Duchess, in a time like the present 
I quite understand your young girls getting 
hysterical. Don't let my position make 
you feel bad. I bear no malice. It is my 
duty and my pleasure to turn the other 
cheek ! 

(Loveday stands gazing curiously at the palm, 
down right, near where Varlie was. _ Tin 
smooth green moss is broken through in one 
place, and rough earth shows.) 

{Rising.) There is no jade ornament too 

large for him to swallow on him that I can 

see. 

Naturally ! It grieves me that you should 

be so inured to deception, young man, 

that you should doubt my word. 

There, there. It was all a fancy. But 

you and I and the Duchess can forgive a 

pretty girl more than this, can't we, Mr., 

Mr. 

Dr. Chapman, sir. Now your myrmidons 
can unhand me, I reckon. 

(Smithers hesitates to give the order.) 



88 



LOVEDAY. Don't! It's not settled. Look at this. 

(Smithers comes forward and looks at pot as 
slie indicates.) 

Smithers. I see nothing there, Miss. 

LOVEDAY. The earth has been disturbed here — look, 
the rest of the pot is covered with moss. 

Duchess. Oh, Loveday, Loveday. The gardener 
has pulled up a weed, I suppose. Pulling 
up weeds always does disturb the moss. 
Even the Government knows that. 

LOVEDAY. Gordon, Mr. Smithers — haven't you a 
penknife one of you ? Dig just there for 
me, please do. 

VARLIE. (Gets suddenly restive in his keepers' 

hands.) This is the limit ! This beats 
everything. She put it there herself. 

Smithers. {Looking at him keenly.) Put it there? 
You said there wasn't anything just now. 

VARLIE. I have had enough of this. (To the two 

holding him.) Let me go, you monkey- 
faced jumbos. (To Smithers.) I'm 
due at our Embassy. You can do your 
agricultural work as well when I've gone. 

Smithers. (Now suspicious of him.) We'll just see 
first if there is anything in this plant. 

VARLIE. She did it herself. She simply put some- 

thing in herself ! 

LOVEDAY. (Spreading out her hands.) Look! I've 
got white kid gloves on ! I couldn't have 
done it without leaving earth on them ! 
and there isn't a grain ! 

MINISTER. (Leans forward intently interested.) She 
is a bright girl that. I call that clever. 

Duchess. Clever, yes. But not witty ! She lost an 
opportunity of saying, " I have the proof 
at my finger tips." 

MINISTER. (Chuckling.) No case ! The white gloves 
of a Judge on circuit ! 

Duchess. Good ! Ha, ha ! 



89 



LOVEDAY 



Varlie. 

Smithers. 

Varlie. 

Smithers. 

Varlie. 



Smithers. 



Smithers. 
Loveday. 

Minister. 
Duchess. 

Smithers. 
Varlie. 



Look at his hands. Look ! 
(Varlie closes his hands [which are gloveless] 
and clenches his nails in.) 

By gam, you don't insult me like this ! 

Please open your hands, sir. 

I won't, damn you. 

You had better, sir. 

I dropped a coin in a flower bed this 

afternoon ! I have some earth in my nails 

anyway. (He half opens his hands 

reluctantly.) 

(All lean forward to see. Two fingers are 
stained and there is earth in two or three of 
the nails.) 

You'd have washed your hands if what 
you say about dropping a coin is true before 
coming here, sir. Hold him well, men. 
Yes, Miss. I'll dig this pot up for you. 
{He digs with his penknife, all wait breathlessly, 

in a minute the green jade ornament appears. 

He wipes it with his handkerchief, holds it 

out to Loveday.) 

Is that it, Miss. 
(Eager.) Yes, yes, that is it ! 
(Coming forward to look at it.) Dear, 
dear ! Fancy ! I said Loveday wasn't 
hysterical. 

That looks as though the young lady was 
right. You've had a narrow escape, sir ! : 
That don't amount to shucks ! What 
does that prove. There is only wild talk. 
I tell you I'm known at the American 
Embassy, I'm known to the Duchess here. 
You can't begin to prove I ever saw that 
green trumpery. The only thing you've 
got against me is that I wore a false beard ! 
(Sneers.) Bring that up against an 
American citizen and a minister of religion 
and you would look queer in the Law 
Courts ! 



90 



LOVEDAY. 



Gordon 



Loved ay. 



Smithers. 



Loved ay. 
Gordon. 

Smithers. 



Duchess. 
Smithers. 



And you are known to me — to us. To' 

both Mr. Hyde and me. You were Mr. 

Varlie in New Zealand. 

Yes, Varlie, there's no mistaking you ! 

You bought the freehold of my Station and 

all my sheep and I'm not likely to forget 

it. 

And you travelled all over New Zealand, 

selling things under the name of Varlie, 

and you wouldn't be pretending to .be 

somebody else and a clergyman too, if you 

were honest. Besides (scornfully), I saw 

you buy that special secret poison from 

Roto, the old Maori, and you made very 

special enquiries about its use, too ! 

(As though recollecting something.) 

Varlie — Varlie — New Zealand. The 

secret service particular warned me against 

a man called Varlie who has been hauling 

in a lot of freehold in New Zealand under 

various names, and travelling for German 

American firms. We had lost track of 

him. (Joy spreading over his face.) You 

don't mean to say he is John Varlie ! Not 

John Varlie, Miss ? 

Yes, yes. 

That's the name I've known him under in 

New Zealand for months. 

My, men ! We have got a haul. Well, 

ladies, the man is safe now, anyway. 

There is no need to bother you any more 

to-night. 

Cleverness seems to get an appropriately 

solid result, Loveday ? 

You are staying here, Miss ? No ? Your 

address, please. 

(He takes out a note hook, site tells her address 
[a mumble and dumb show].) 



91 



And yours, sir ? (Gordon does the same.) 

[Meanwhile, the Minister looks from ore to the 
other, turns to Duchess.) 

MINISTER. He is evidently really a dangerous man ! 
But a clergyman too! What an outrage 
to the cloth. That's the kind of thing to 
make atheists. 

SMITHERS. (Snapping his note book and turning 
quickly.) He is no clergyman. A very 
dangerous man, sir. It is all a pretence 
too about his being an American. He is 
an out and out German, sir, and I make no 
doubt the young lady was right about his 
attempt on your life, sir. I expect you 
have had a narrow escape. We won't 
trouble you any further to-night. Take 
him off, men. I've got all the addresses. 
Good-night, ladies — good-riight, sir, good- 
night, sir. (Goes out after Varlie, led 
by the men, unresisting now) 

(Loveday and Gordon look at each other. 
Duchess subsides into sofa by the 
Ministek.) 

DUCHESS. As I said, even London is an adventure for 
the right man. (Fans herself.) Loveday, 
come here. 

MINISTER. (Rises and shakes her hand, keeps it and 
pats it.) My dear young lady, my dear 
young lady. The service you have done 
me is too great for thanks. You may 
command me — always. And I hope I 
may often have the happiness of serving 
you. But please give me something to do 
at once. What can I do for you ? 

LOVEDAY. Oh, there is one thing you can do for me, 
if only you will ! Will you ! 

MINISTER. An-y-thing you like to ask, my dear, if it 
is humanly possible. What is it ? 



92 



LoVEDAY. Please, oil please, let Mr. Hyde tell you 
about his wonderful International plan. 

MINISTER. Of course, of course ! So he is a friend 
of yours, is he ? 

GORDON. (Coming forward.) I have that great 
honour, sir. 

GORDON. (Takes out sheaf of papers.) If there 

was a Super- Parliament constituted as I 
suggest Prussian Militarism, all Militarism, 
is not only defeated now, but for ever ! 
It is plucked out by the roots, but not at 
the ruinous cost of imposing militarism on 
all other nations. Oh, there's so much. 
(Hesitates.) 

LOVEDAY. (Breaking in, her voice almost chanting, 
like one inspired, its notes resembling 
those used by her at the close of Act I.) 
And Militarism is met, not by the weakness 
of a too trusting idealism but by force 
controlled by intelligence. Law is devised 
with behind it international force, which 
shall protect the nations, as law backed by 
_ civil force protects each man and woman 
in Britain. 

(Hyde starts. gazing intently at her set inspired 
face and seems to recognise her voice. He 
stretches out a hand, withdraws it, and 
whispers in awed voice.) 

Hyde. My queen ! My vision. It is she I (Sits 

as though entranced.) 

LOVEDAY. (Does not notice him, but continues un- 
interruptedly.) And the nation which 
will not come into this council of nations 
proclaims itself an outlaw, an aggressor, a 
planner of evil, and it inscribes its own 
doom, for law that is outraged takes 
vengeance implacable. 

{There is a pause, she relaxes — smiles.) 






93 

Minister. My dear — T must think. 

LOVEDAY. {Holding out her lianas to him appeal - 
ingly.) You are the most powerful man 
in England, it is for you to initiate this 
new era, of international safety and peace. 
Whatever the terms of an ordinary 
peace, militarism will spring up again to 
ravage the world. Let Britain lead in 
this new enlargement of law and freedom, 
for this is the only way to bring security 
to the world. 

MINISTER. (Very seriously.) I will think about it, 
my dear. 

DUCHESS. (Returning to her normal.) If that is 
cleverness it makes me a little dissatisfied 
with mere wit. 

Minister. (To Hyde.) Have your suggested con- 
stitution typed out, young man, and bring 
it to Downing Street the day after to- 
morrow. I'll send you a card with the 
hour. Your address ? (Hyde liands 
him a card.) I'll try to get the Prime 
Minister interested. Good-night. 

LOVEDAY. How splendid. 

Minister. Good-night, my dear, good-night. If you 
leave it very long before I see you again, 
I'll have to send for you. Heaven guard 
you, my dear. 

(To Duchess.) I must say good-night. 
I have long outstayed my time. 

PUCHESS. Let me see you off my premises. I only 
pray there are no more adventures for 
you on them. I hope exterminated 
dangers leave rest behind them. (They 
go off back centre together, the Foot- 
man pulls curtain apart to let them 
out and follows them. Faint strains of 
music are heard from distant rooni.) 



94 

Lovedav. (Sits on sofa, looks at GORDON with a 
rapt gaze.) Your chance, the world's 
chance, has come ! 

Gordon. (/// awe-struck voice,tetiderly. He stands 
half stooping before her.) And you, you 
are not only my friend but my Goddess, 
my vision ! Your look just now — your 
wonderful voice when you were speaking 
to the Minister a little ago. It was you 
that night in the woods — you I have been 
adoring, and from you I have been 
drawing my inspiration ! 

LOYEDAY. (Softly.) It was I in the woods. Chance 
gave me a moment's inspiration ! which 
you worked into reality. 

GORDON. (Half kneels before her.) I know my 
love can be nothing at all to you — I am 
not a fit mate for you. But let me go on 
kneeling to you ! Don't spurn me. 

Loyeday. (Slowly.) Why are you so sure your love 
is nothing to me ? 

GORDON. (As though blinded by a sudden shaft of 

light in tlie darkness.) Oh ! It can't be 
that it is anything to you ? 

LOYEDAY. Your love is everything to me. 

(Slowly he advances, with almost incredulous 
rapture. They kiss.) 

Curtain. 



Play written Summer 1916, 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 

PLAYS OF OLD JAPAN = THE "NO" 

By MARIE C. STOPES and 
PROFESSOR JOJI SAKURAI 

PREFACE by BARON KATO 



The Times says : " The Sumida River is a little play which, even 
in translation, one feels to be of great beauty and intolerable 
pathos. Dr. Stopes has written a lucid and serviceable intro- 
duction on the ' No ' plays, which deserve the study of every 
student of the drama." 

The Morning Post says: "The translators have chosen a rhythmic, 
simple, irregular verse, which isolates just that element of pure 
tragedy that underlies the native literary crust of ornament. . . . 
We are convinced that drawing-room and library will welcome her 
to their hearts." 

T.P.'s Weekly says: " We advise all who care for the drama to 
read this book. The effect may be compared to that of having the 
best work of Synge with an added national and religious interest." 

The Spectator says : "Dr. Stopes has made the 'No' and their 
history for the first time accessible to the ordinary reader . . 
there is pleasure to be got from them even by those who only 
read a translation of the poems." 

The Times (New York) says : " Dr. Stopes has placed the English 
reader under a debt of gratitude by her work on these exquisite 
lyric plays." 

The Athenmim says: "The author's vivid and imaginative 
sympathy has really enabled her in some degree to communicate 
the incommunicable." 



W, HEINEMANN. G/- net, 



MAN 

OTHER POEMS & A PREFACE 

BY 

MARIE C. STOPES, D.Sc, Ph.D., F.R.S.L. 

Fellow of University College, London. 

" The title-poem, wherein is set forth with thoughtful earnest- 
ness and no little grace of language the changing aspects of 
man to the eyes of ripening womanhood, and ' The Brother,' 
a ' true and unvarnished ' tragedy, deriving force from the 
very homeliness of its telling, stand out most clearly in a 
volume of which the dominating qualities are clearness of 
vision and a distinctive point of view." — The Atheucuum. 

" Dr. Stopes is by calling a fossil botanist, and her 
scientific training gives restraint and substance to all her 
verse. This is particularly noticeable in the longish poem 
which opens the book, tracing the changing image which 
man assumes in the mind of a growing girl — a difficult theme 
well treated from the personal point of view, and in graceful 
measured phrase. But there is no lack of emotion in her 
pages ; she sings with enthusiasm of the joy of married love ; 
and sometimes in a minor key of regret for old, dead loves' 
Her highest level, we think, is reached in ' Tokio Snow ' — a 
beautiful fancy expressed in stanzas which have a curious 
but very successful rhyme-scheme, and ' Human Love,' an 
impressive moment of spiritual reflection on the theme 
' Amantium irae.' " — The Times. 



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